After twelve seasons with Mercedes, culminating in six of his seven World Championship wins, Lewis Hamilton has expressed his delight in navigating the “massively different” driving requirements of his new Ferrari vehicle. The 2025 season marks a significant departure for Hamilton, being the first in his Formula 1 career where he will operate without the familiar Mercedes power.
Hamilton, who began his career behind the wheel of a Mercedes-powered McLaren before transitioning to the Silver Arrows in 2013, shared his first impressions of his new machine after participating in official pre-season testing in Bahrain. The seven-time World Champion noted the distinctive characteristics of the Ferrari car, which have introduced a fresh set of challenges and learning opportunities.
When questioned about his early experience with Ferrari, Hamilton responded with praise for the construction and unique attributes of the vehicle. He said, “Well firstly, they’re very well built, and massively different in characteristics.” The seasoned driver went on to voice his appreciation for the change, noting that the difference in driving demands has been a refreshing shift from his lengthy tenure with Mercedes.
Hamilton further elaborated on the adjustments he’s had to make in his driving style. He said, “Rather than just jump into a different car and having it exactly the same, it’s been refreshing to have something different, to learn different ways in which you have to drive the car, different requirements to how you approach corners.”
The distinct sound and feel of the Ferrari engine have also caught Hamilton’s attention. He shared that after driving a Mercedes for so long, which he lauds as a “great power unit”, it’s exciting to discover that Ferrari also boasts a robust power unit.
Hamilton is investing time in understanding the engineering processes of Ferrari, particularly their approach towards power and reliability. He stated, “And it’s something that I’m, again, spending time with the engineers from the engine department and learning of the processes they take to for reliability and power. That’s a process in itself, but so far it’s been really great.”
During the Bahrain testing, Hamilton completed 162 laps, a testament to his commitment in preparing for his Scuderia debut at Albert Park on Sunday 16th March. This early immersion in Ferrari’s engineering prowess and the distinctive driving requirements of his new ride promises an intriguing season ahead for the seven-time World Champion.
