Lewis Hamilton Ferrari test issues come to light after close…

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari test issues come to light after close…read more

Lewis Hamilton’s initial test with Ferrari this week encountered some hurdles, primarily involving issues with the car’s pedals, which caused him discomfort and almost led to a costly mistake at the Fiorano test track. Hamilton, who recently made a high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season, visited Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters and participated in his first on-track session with the team. The test took place at Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit, where Hamilton completed 30 laps (around 89 kilometers) in the team’s 2023 SF-23 car. His family was present at the event, and after the session, Hamilton took time to meet with Ferrari’s passionate fan base, the Tifosi, who had gathered to witness the milestone.

Hamilton’s new teammate, Charles Leclerc, also joined the test, driving in the afternoon session after Hamilton. Conditions during Leclerc’s time on track were wet, and he managed 14 laps in the SF-23. However, details regarding lap times were kept confidential, as the session was considered a “Testing of Previous Car” (TPC), a non-competitive and closed-off test. Despite these precautions, reports from Motorsport.com revealed that Hamilton’s test was not entirely without problems.

The main issue Hamilton faced was with the pedals in the Ferrari car. Despite trying various adjustments throughout the session, he couldn’t find a comfortable setup. As a result, he made a few mistakes on track, including locking up his brakes at both the first corner and the hairpin, nearly running off the track into the gravel. Although these problems were frustrating, Ferrari is already addressing the issue and expects to have a solution in place ahead of the team’s next private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which is scheduled for next week.

Apart from the pedal issues, Hamilton’s transition to other aspects of the Ferrari car seemed smoother. One of the key concerns surrounding his move to Ferrari was how he would adapt to the team’s steering wheel, especially after spending so many years with Mercedes. Reports suggest Hamilton adjusted quickly to the new controls and only requested minor modifications. This flexibility is promising, as it shows Hamilton is willing to adapt to Ferrari’s system rather than insist on the configurations he had become accustomed to with Mercedes.

Additionally, Hamilton’s relationship with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, who previously worked with Carlos Sainz and Sebastian Vettel, appears to be off to a positive start. This is an encouraging sign for Hamilton’s integration into the Ferrari team, as he begins a new chapter in his Formula 1 career.

Comfort within the cockpit has been a significant challenge for Hamilton in recent seasons. At Mercedes, he frequently voiced concerns about various issues with the car’s setup, particularly in the latter years of his time with the team. In 2022, he struggled with porpoising due to the new ground-effect regulations, and in 2023, he experienced difficulties with cockpit positioning, complaining that sitting too close to the front wheels was “one of the worst feelings” he had ever encountered behind the wheel. Given these past concerns, finding the right comfort level in Ferrari’s car will be crucial for Hamilton as he seeks to make the most of his new role at the team.

The pedal issue is expected to be resolved shortly, which should allow Hamilton a much smoother second test in Barcelona. The upcoming test will be an important opportunity for Hamilton to refine his understanding of the car and further solidify his relationship with the team. As he continues his transition to Ferrari, Hamilton will be looking to fine-tune the car’s setup and ensure that the cockpit provides him with the comfort he needs to perform at his best in the 2025 season.

In summary, while Hamilton’s first test with Ferrari was not without its challenges, the team is already taking steps to address the pedal issue, and his adaptation to other aspects of the car seems promising. With further testing and adjustments, Hamilton is poised to make a successful transition to Ferrari, with the goal of achieving success in the 2025 Formula 1 season.