F1 fans could get their first official glimpse of Lewis Hamilton as a Ferrari driver at the F175 launch event in London next month. While neither driver nor team enter the year as world champion, they will be the main attraction.
F1 has scheduled the special ceremony to mark the beginning of the sport’s 75th season. All 10 teams and 20 drivers will be in attendance.
Ferrari have already announced that they’ll be holding a team-specific launch the following day. That raises questions over what spectators at the O2 Arena can expect.
Teams may only debut their liveries, rather than their car designs, to prevent rivals from inspecting them. Some may wish to hold their own events, where they’ll have greater control over the format, to satisfy commercial interests and generate individual publicity.
Hamilton will drive a Ferrari for the first time on 20 January if all goes to plan. He’ll take to the team’s private Fiorano test track.
Hamilton’s test could be cancelled at the last minute in the event of adverse weather. Sensibly given the time of the year, Ferrari have already drawn up contingency plans.
Ferrari to take on ‘a different paint job’ for Lewis Hamilton debut
A report from AutoRacer reveals that Hamilton is expected to report to Maranello, Ferrari’s HQ, within ‘the next few days’. Teammate Charles Leclerc will do the same.
Ferrari drivers typically head to the factory between 10 and 12 January for their ‘final seat tests’ and some ‘simulator work’. Hamilton will enjoy the luxury of privacy as he completes these key preparations.
With the FIA raising the minimum weight, Ferrari’s livery – like that of their competitors – should feature less ‘visible carbon’. The Scuderia have adopted a more ‘intense’ shade of red this year.
- READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family
The report clarifies that it won’t be as dramatic as their 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix livery, when their car was so dark that many labelled it burgundy. That was to mark their 1000th F1 race.
However, Ferrari’ have adopted a ‘different paint job’, as well as a new layout, to create a ‘bold’ look. They will also debut the corresponding racesuits at The O2.
Why Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc may drive different cars this year
Hamilton will reunite with former Mercedes engineer Loic Serra at Ferrari. Serra will responsible for the British driver’s chassis, while Jerome D’Ambrosio has also joined from the Silver Arrows as deputy team principal.
Serra has raved about Hamilton’s ‘feel’ for the car and his ability to identify what’s missing. The 40-year-old may welcome a familiar face in the midst of a cultural reset.
F1 pundit James Hinchliffe has pointed out that Hamilton and Leclerc could end up with different cars if Ferrari only have one upgrade ready for a particular race. That’s a very real possibility, and potentially an awkward issue for Fred Vasseur as he tries to maintain parity in the garage.
Leave feedback about this