In the heart of his pre-season testing in Bahrain, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 champion, has lauded the role played by Testing of Previous Car (TPC) running in his successful adaptation to his new driving environment at Ferrari.
Before his arrival in Bahrain for the official F1 pre-season testing, Hamilton had the opportunity to experience the feel of Ferrari’s SF-23 and SF-24 models during late January and early February. His driving experience was split between the SF-23 model of 2023 at Fiorano, where he participated in a TPC programme, and a modified SF-24 for a Pirelli tyre test.
Hamilton, in a media briefing that included Motorsport Week, enthusiastically shared his positive experience with the TPC running. He further highlighted how crucial this early exposure was, considering the limited three-day test allocated. “I’ve really enjoyed the testing that I’ve had this year, especially the TPC testing,” he remarked.
The celebrated F1 champion admitted that the early experience with the cars provided him with a comfortable familiarity that would have been difficult to achieve in just a day and a half of the official testing. “I’m now at a stage where I can compare the 2023 and ’24 models, and see how they’ve evolved into the current model,” Hamilton added.
However, Hamilton admitted that he still has some room for improvement. He didn’t get to do the end-of-year test, which put him somewhat behind his peers. “There’s always time to get better. I still feel there’s plenty to come,” he admitted.
Hamilton’s seamless transition to Ferrari, however, does not only rely on his personal comfort with the car. The performance of the Scuderia in relation to competitors like McLaren and Red Bull is also a significant factor. When asked about the competition, Hamilton singled out McLaren as potential frontrunners.
“McLaren did a great job yesterday. Max Verstappen also had a decent run,” he noted. “Given McLaren’s status as last year’s Constructors’ champions, we expect them to be one of the quickest, if not the quickest, just like Red Bull who have dominated for many, many years.”
Hamilton’s statement underlines Ferrari’s ongoing efforts to improve their performance. The champion, yet to complete a race simulation run, is prepared for his first race stint with the team. “We have some work to do to improve, but it’s going to be interesting,” he concluded.
In an earlier comment, Hamilton described the Ferrari SF-25 as providing ‘the most positive feeling I’ve had in a long time’. This statement, combined with his successful pre-season testing, signifies a promising start for his journey at Ferrari.
