Seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton is brimming with positivity as he wraps up his initial Ferrari test, in a prelude to the 2025 F1 season. This marks his most optimistic start to a championship in years, reflecting a promising beginning to his journey with Ferrari.
Hamilton’s pre-season preparations have culminated with Ferrari’s pre-season testing programme in the SF-25. The forthcoming race in Australia will see Hamilton debuting with the Scuderia team. Hamilton’s pre-season concluded with a series of tests including the TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) rules and a Pirelli tyre test.
The champion driver’s first experience with the 2025 car has been quite promising. Hamilton showcased his potential by clocking the fastest time in Thursday’s morning session and outpacing Charles Leclerc by a half-tenth, earning them second and third positions overall.
Hamilton was cautious about making early predictions regarding Ferrari’s position in the upcoming season. “I’ve learned over the past four years that initial impressions can be misleading,” he remarked. “However, I must confess that this is the most positive I’ve felt in a long time.”
Despite his known disdain for testing, Hamilton expressed contentment with his pre-season preparation this year. He mentioned his gratitude for the TPC testing and acknowledged the significant progress he has made in terms of acclimatizing to the car.
Hamilton also highlighted the comparative advantages he gained by driving the 2023 car, which allowed him to gauge the improvements in the 2024 and ’23 cars. The champion driver, who did not participate in the end-of-2024 test, acknowledged that he had a later start than other drivers like Sebastian Vettel.
Hamilton, no stranger to challenges, said he prefers to dive in and solve problems as they arise, a strategy he has employed during his time with Ferrari. Despite the time constraints, Hamilton believes he has managed to lay a solid foundation with his new team.
Hamilton also spoke about the competitive edge he noticed in his colleagues. He expressed his admiration for the dedication and focus he has observed in the garage and the night shift crew, and he hinted at the learning curve associated with understanding their processes and work patterns.
The ace driver is not only adapting to a new team but also a new car with a unique DNA and a significantly different power unit. He praised the Ferrari’s construction and highlighted the refreshing change it presented in terms of driving style, cornering approach, and other technical aspects.
Hamilton, who has spent a long time driving Mercedes—known for its robust power unit—commented positively on Ferrari’s power unit. He is currently working with the engine department engineers to understand their processes for ensuring reliability and power.
As Hamilton prepares for the 2025 F1 season, his optimism and the promising test results indicate exciting times ahead for Ferrari and their fans.
