Two Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari myths debunked as...... R

Two Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari myths debunked as details of first run emerge

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, is preparing for his much-anticipated first outing in a Ferrari F1 car early next year. After spending 12 years with Mercedes, Hamilton has made the groundbreaking decision to switch to Ferrari for the 2025 season. This move comes after he activated an escape clause in the contract extension he signed last summer with Mercedes, which included an option for an additional year.

While there were speculations that Hamilton might make his debut for Ferrari at the post-season tyre test following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Motorsport has reported that this will not happen. Instead, Hamilton will be busy with promotional commitments to Mercedes. He is scheduled to make an appearance for Mercedes’ title sponsor, Petronas, on December 10, which coincides with the Abu Dhabi test. This prior obligation makes it impossible for him to participate in the test, and as a result, his first official drive in a Ferrari F1 car will likely take place in January at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track.

Further fueling the media frenzy were rumors suggesting that Hamilton might move into the iconic house of Enzo Ferrari in Fiorano, a privilege that has only been granted to Michael Schumacher, another seven-time world champion. However, these rumors were quickly debunked. Motorsport clarified that the speculation was completely unfounded, and The Race echoed the same sentiment, dismissing the idea as baseless.

With his contract with Mercedes still in effect for the remainder of 2024, Hamilton’s first Ferrari driving experience will be delayed until the start of next year. Given F1’s stringent testing regulations under the Technical and Pirelli Contract (TPC), Hamilton will not be able to test the latest Ferrari car, the SF-23. Instead, he will be limited to driving the 2022 Ferrari F1-75, which enjoyed a competitive season, securing four race wins and 12 pole positions in 2022.

Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, spoke about Hamilton’s upcoming transition, expressing confidence that the experienced driver would need little time to adapt to Ferrari’s machinery. Vasseur remarked that Hamilton’s extensive experience and skill would likely allow him to be competitive from the very first day of testing. He added that the team is organizing a few TPC days as well as a planned test in Bahrain, which will be sufficient for Hamilton to acclimatize to Ferrari’s setup.

Hamilton’s official entry into Ferrari will take place as part of the team’s preparation for the 2025 season. The first opportunity for Hamilton to experience Ferrari’s 2025 challenger will be during pre-season testing in Bahrain, which is scheduled for February 26-28, 2025. By that time, he will be partnered with Charles Leclerc, as Carlos Sainz is set to leave Ferrari for a move to Williams.

Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari represents one of the most significant moves in modern F1 history, given his stature and the legacy of both teams. His transition is being closely watched by fans and the motorsport world alike. While he will not be involved in the immediate post-season testing, his focus is already shifting to Ferrari’s 2025 car, and he is expected to hit the ground running once he joins the team full-time next year. With Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, the dynamics of the F1 grid are set to shift, with the seven-time world champion now joining forces with one of the sport’s most historic teams.