Lewis Hamilton Confident About Ferrari’s Prospects Afer...

Lewis Hamilton Confident About Ferrari’s Prospects Afer…see more

Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has shared his first impressions of Ferrari’s brand-new SF-25 after taking the wheel at Fiorano during the team’s official shakedown session on Wednesday. The highly anticipated 2025 challenger, which will compete in Hamilton’s debut season with the Scuderia, completed 200 kilometers of running, marking an important milestone before the team heads to Bahrain for pre-season testing.

Ferrari utilized one of its two permitted filming days for the year to put the SF-25 through its paces, with both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc getting their first real taste of the new car. The Maranello-based outfit, which last won a championship in 2008, has spent over a decade chasing Formula 1 glory without success. Ironically, it was Hamilton himself who denied Ferrari the Drivers’ Championship that year, defeating Felipe Massa in dramatic fashion at the season finale in Brazil.

Since then, Ferrari has gone through multiple team bosses and world-class drivers in its bid to return to the top, but championship success has remained elusive. However, the team showed strong potential last season, narrowly losing out to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship. While Ferrari struggled with a mid-season slump due to an upgrade misstep, they managed to recover and finished the season with a car that was arguably the fastest on the grid.

Heading into the 2025 season, Ferrari is widely expected to be a serious contender for both titles. Team Principal Fred Vasseur has implemented a methodical and steady approach since taking charge, ensuring that the team avoids major setbacks over the winter break. With the arrival of Hamilton, the most high-profile driver signing in recent years, Ferrari has been the center of attention throughout the off-season.

The SF-25 finally made its debut at Fiorano, showcasing a design that retains the same fundamental performance concept as its predecessor, the SF-24. However, there are notable changes, particularly at the front end, where the car now features a pull-rod suspension system. Chassis technical director Loic Serra explained that this adjustment was necessary to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and unlock greater development potential. The previous design had reached its performance ceiling, prompting Ferrari to make strategic changes to maximize future improvements.

Hamilton, after completing his first laps in the SF-25, expressed optimism about the car’s potential. While the true capabilities of the car will only be revealed once it takes to the track in Bahrain for collective testing, his early impressions suggest that Ferrari has built a competitive machine. Given the team’s progress last season and the technical advancements in this year’s car, expectations are high for Ferrari to mount a serious challenge in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.

With pre-season testing just around the corner, all eyes will be on Ferrari to see if the SF-25 can live up to its promise. If Hamilton’s initial feedback is any indication, the Scuderia may finally be ready to break its long championship drought and return to the top of Formula 1.