Ferrari Plans Extended Test Week for Lewis Hamilton Ahead of 20..

Ferrari Plans Extended Test Week for Lewis Hamilton Ahead of 2025 F1 Season

Ferrari is gearing up to provide Lewis Hamilton with an extended testing program to ensure he is fully prepared for his first full-time season with the iconic Italian team. Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, made the high-profile switch to Ferrari after a record-breaking stint with Mercedes, where he secured six of his titles.

Hamilton’s competitive debut for Ferrari will take place at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, he is set to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari well before that. Reports from the Italian branch of Motorsport.com indicate that Hamilton will drive an older Ferrari car at the team’s private Fiorano circuit on February 20 or 21, depending on weather conditions. This outing will mark one of the initial steps in his integration into the team.

The testing program does not stop there. Ferrari has also planned a longer session in Barcelona in late January. This will provide Hamilton with additional time to familiarize himself with the team’s processes, engineers, and the overall dynamics of his new environment. The Barcelona test is reportedly designed not only to maximize track time but also to allow Hamilton to build relationships with his new colleagues as he transitions into Ferrari’s unique working culture.

Regulatory Changes and Ferrari’s Approach

Under the updated Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations for the 2025 season, full-time Formula 1 drivers are restricted to a maximum of 1,000 kilometers of testing using older cars. This distance can be spread across a maximum of four days. Ferrari has decided to allocate the entirety of this testing allowance to Hamilton, leaving his new teammate, Charles Leclerc, without any opportunities to drive older Ferrari models during the pre-season.

This decision underscores Ferrari’s commitment to ensuring Hamilton has every possible advantage as he embarks on this new chapter of his career. The extended testing will also help him adapt to Ferrari’s engineering philosophy and car characteristics, which differ significantly from those of his former team, Mercedes.

Car Launch and Upcoming Events

Ferrari is set to unveil its 2025 challenger on February 19 at Fiorano, one day after the F1 75 launch event in London, where all 10 teams will participate. The new car will be central to Hamilton’s and Ferrari’s ambitions as they aim to end the team’s championship drought and reclaim dominance in Formula 1.

Hamilton’s early involvement with the team and the additional testing sessions highlight Ferrari’s determination to optimize their chances in 2025. The extra track time is expected to provide valuable insights into Hamilton’s driving style, enabling the team to tailor the car’s setup to his preferences before the season kicks off.

A Historic Partnership in the Making

The collaboration between Ferrari and Hamilton is one of the most talked-about moves in recent Formula 1 history. The Briton’s arrival at Maranello marks the joining of two of the sport’s most successful entities—Hamilton as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history, and Ferrari as the most storied team.

As the pre-season preparations intensify, all eyes will be on Hamilton and Ferrari to see how quickly they can gel and whether this partnership will lead to the championship glory that Ferrari has been chasing for over a decade. The extended test week and strategic approach indicate that Ferrari is leaving no stone unturned in its pursuit of success in 2025.