Despite stepping into the shoes of his former Formula 1 adversary Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton remains unperturbed despite his seemingly compressed preparation period. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, officially parted ways with Mercedes at the end of last year, missing out on the chance to test drive Ferrari’s SF-24 at the Abu Dhabi post-season test.
Hamilton’s first taste of Ferrari’s engineering prowess came in January, when he drove the SF-23 around the Fiorano test circuit, Ferrari’s home ground. However, due to recent changes in Testing of Previous Car (TPC) programs, Hamilton was restricted to a meagre four-day session with Ferrari’s 2023 contender, before moving his prep to Barcelona.
In addition, Hamilton carried out Pirelli tyre tests for 2026 in a modified SF-24 and performed an SF-25 shakedown on February 19, marking the end of his pre-season preparations. This period of acclimatization has been notably shorter than what previous Ferrari drivers have enjoyed when joining the Maranello-based team.
Despite the limited time, Hamilton is optimistic about the progress made. Speaking with select media outlets, including Motorsport Week, he said, “I still feel there is plenty to come, and fortunately, I’ve got to drive the 2023 car, so I have been able to compare the 2024 car to see where they’ve progressed the problems they had on those two cars, and how they’ve improved into this one.”
He contrasted his situation with Vettel’s switch to Ferrari ahead of the 2015 season, when the German had two full months to acclimate to his new team. “I did not get to do the test at the end of the year, so I started comparatively late compared to others before me, like when Sebastian was here, I think he started in November, so he had a good two months,” Hamilton added.
Despite the shorter preparation time, Hamilton relishes the challenge of his rapid integration into the Ferrari team. He sees the current situation as an opportunity to ‘jump in at the deep end’ and figure things out. The British champion acknowledges there’s work to do but notes the focus and dedication of his new team, from the night-shift crew to the factory workers, as a significant source of inspiration.
Hamilton has been particularly impressed by the passion he’s witnessed within Ferrari. He expressed his admiration for the employees who’ve grown up dreaming of working for the iconic brand, reflecting on their pride and dedication to their work. The experience of being in the heart of the operation and witnessing the passion firsthand, he noted, is “pretty incredible.”
In conclusion, Hamilton remains unfazed by the perceived preparation deficit compared to his predecessor, Sebastian Vettel. He’s eager to start the new season and is inspired by the dedication and passion of his new team. Despite his late start, he’s ready to face the challenges ahead and make his mark at Ferrari.
