In his debut race for Ferrari at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton is adjusting his driving style to the unique dynamics of the Scuderia’s SF-25. The British champion found himself 0.42 seconds behind his teammate, Charles Leclerc, who topped the time charts after Friday’s practice sessions.
Hamilton, who has been the center of media attention since his dramatic move to Ferrari, is now focused on familiarizing himself with his new racing environment. In particular, he is acutely aware of the need to adapt to the SF-25’s distinct handling dynamics. In a post-practice interview with F1 TV, he indicated that the Ferrari vehicle provided a markedly different experience on the track.
In Hamilton’s words, “Honestly, the car felt so much different to what I’ve ever experienced coming to this track.” The champion driver, known for his late braking and dynamic rear end management, is now having to recalibrate his cornering techniques to align with the more measured approach required by the SF-25.
Hamilton’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, has demonstrated a strong command of the new vehicle. Leclerc’s successful two-phase steering method, dubbed as “little turn, big turn”, has proven effective in managing balance and minimizing understeer, particularly in Melbourne’s technical sections.
However, Leclerc was quick to downplay his early success, acknowledging that there is still significant work to be done in refining the car’s performance. He expressed satisfaction with the preparation work done so far but indicated that improvements were necessary, particularly in balancing the vehicle.
The racing weekend will be a test of Hamilton’s adaptability and ability to learn new techniques under pressure. However, the champion driver has shown time and again that he is not one to back down from a challenge. Despite the initial gap to Leclerc, Hamilton remains focused on understanding the SF-25 and working towards long-term progress.
Leclerc’s impressive pace offers a glimmer of hope for Ferrari, as the team seeks to challenge the dominance of McLaren and Red Bull at the start of the 2025 season. However, with Hamilton’s extensive experience and proven adaptability, it would be premature to rule out a closer intra-team competition as the race weekend progresses.
The final practice and qualifying rounds on Saturday will be crucial in assessing whether Hamilton can close the gap to Leclerc and whether Ferrari can leverage their Friday momentum to secure a front-row start for the 2025 Australian Grand Prix. With the world watching, Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari is just beginning, and the road ahead promises to be an exciting one.
