Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton ‘could not be more excited’ as Ferrari career starts
On January 7, on the eve of his 40th birthday, he joined Ferrari and became Charles Leclerc’s teammate, which is regarded by many industry insiders as the strongest driver lineup on the track.
Ferrari had a great year in 2024, narrowly missing out on McLaren for the Constructors’ Championship.
From the Dutch Grand Prix, the race after the sport’s summer break, to the end of the season, Leclerc scored more points than any driver and Ferrari more than any rival team.
Hamilton has a brief but intense period to acclimate to his new team before the season kicks off in Melbourne, Australia, from March 14-16.
Ferrari has not revealed details of Hamilton’s plans, but he will visit the factory, drive in a simulator and spend a few days behind the wheel of the 2023 car aimed at adapting to the new team and how the car operates.
The 2025 Ferrari will be unveiled on February 19, a day after F1’s first official season launch at London’s O2.
The official pre-season testing days will be held in Bahrain from February 26 to 28, with Hamilton and Leclerc splitting time behind the wheel of the new car equally.
Team principal Frederic Vasseur said Ferrari’s official Christmas lunch last month Hamilton’s first six weeks with the team have been “crucial”.
“It’s not easy, but he comes with experience,” Vasseur said. “But he’s not Rookie of the Year, and I’m not worried about that at all. It’s a continuation of the previous rule, so we have something to look at. I’m not worried about it, but it’s definitely a challenge.”
Vasseur expects 2025 to be a title battle between Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes.
