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Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Debut Delayed: How Missing the Abu Dhabi Test Puts Him on the Back Foot

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
December 10, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Lewis Hamilton Declines Early Ferrari Debut, Prefers Private Transition to Iconic Red
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Lewis Hamilton’s monumental switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, a move that has dominated Formula 1 headlines, will have to wait a little longer to truly kick off. Unlike other drivers moving to new teams in 2025, Hamilton will not be driving in the Abu Dhabi post-season test, leaving fans—and perhaps Ferrari—waiting with bated breath for his first lap in scarlet.


Why Hamilton Isn’t Testing at Abu Dhabi

Hamilton’s absence from the test isn’t due to a lack of interest from Ferrari. Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur was eager to have Hamilton on track to begin preparations. However, Mercedes’ contractual obligations required Hamilton to embark on a global farewell tour to thank sponsors and partners, spanning stops in Brackley, Brixworth, Stuttgart, and Kuala Lumpur.

Hamilton himself wasn’t entirely against the idea of missing the Abu Dhabi test.

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“Driving the red car for the first time in Abu Dhabi does not excite me,” he said recently. “In the perfect world, you’d get to drive it and not be seen. I told Fred that’s not what I want to do.”

Still, Hamilton acknowledged the drawbacks of missing out on valuable early experience with Ferrari, saying:

“It definitely delays the process and makes the start of the year harder, but we’ll do our best to recover from it.”


What Hamilton Is Missing

The Abu Dhabi test isn’t just another day at the office—it’s a vital head-start for drivers transitioning to new teams. Missing it means Hamilton won’t have the chance to:

  • Get comfortable with Ferrari’s cockpit: Familiarizing himself with seat fitting, steering wheel layout, and pedal positioning.
  • Understand Ferrari’s engineering philosophy: Building a rapport with his new race engineers and grasping their workflows.
  • Test a Ferrari on-track: Gaining a feel for the car’s handling dynamics and offering feedback based on his Mercedes experience.

Drivers like Carlos Sainz (Williams), Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber), and Esteban Ocon (Haas) are already hitting the track in Abu Dhabi, giving them an invaluable advantage. For Hamilton, these missed opportunities mean more work in January, when he’ll need to fast-track his learning curve.


Ferrari’s Backup Plan for Hamilton’s Integration

While Hamilton’s first official Ferrari run will be delayed, the Scuderia has devised a workaround. Ferrari is expected to utilize its prolific testing program with older cars to help Hamilton acclimate before pre-season testing. Likely scenarios include:

  • Running a current-era car at Fiorano: Ferrari could use its 2022 or 2023 car for private testing, offering Hamilton a chance to ease into the team.
  • Filming day runs: The 2025 Ferrari car will likely debut in a shakedown for promotional purposes, allowing Hamilton to log up to 200km before pre-season testing.

These measures will help Hamilton gain familiarity, but they can’t fully replace the value of participating in the Abu Dhabi test alongside his rivals.


The Weight of Expectations

The Hamilton-Ferrari partnership is one of the most anticipated moves in modern F1 history, likened to Michael Schumacher’s groundbreaking arrival at Ferrari in 1996. Fans and pundits alike have been eager to see the seven-time world champion in Ferrari red, and the absence of a post-season debut only heightens the anticipation.

Hamilton himself is aware of the symbolic weight of the move and the challenges ahead.

“Am I missing out on something? For sure. It makes the start of the year harder, but we’ll recover.”


A Delayed “Wow” Moment

While other drivers get a head-start, Hamilton’s delayed debut leaves an air of suspense around Ferrari’s new era. The first sight of Hamilton in red will now come in January, either at Fiorano or during pre-season testing. For fans, the anticipation of seeing Hamilton take his first lap as a Ferrari driver has only grown stronger.

This delay may set Hamilton and Ferrari back in terms of preparation, but the weight of the partnership—and the buzz surrounding it—will undoubtedly make up for lost time when the lights go out in Melbourne next season.

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