Lewis Hamilton will certainly be the centre of attention during pre-season testing in Bahrain. Ferrari have been all over the world news during the winter break since signing the 40-year-old.
The Maranello outfit have been prepared Hamilton extensively ahead of the three days of testing at the Sakhir International Circuit. The Brit has had four private tests with Ferrari.
Hamilton has driven the SF-23 twice at Fiorano and Barcelona, the 2024 car in a Pirelli tyre test for the 2026 season and his challenger for this year in a shakedown at Fiorano.
The seven-time world champion has looked to integrate himself into the team as quickly as possible. It has been a lifelong dream to race in red and now it is starting to become a reality.
Hamilton was ‘blown away’ by the passion of the Ferrari employees during his first factory visit to Maranello. He has looked to strike a chord with his new colleagues and embrace the culture.
And his team and the fans will love the work he is putting in behind the scenes already to gear himself up for the 2025 season.
Lewis Hamilton starts work ‘as early as 7am’ and finishes late at the Ferrari factory
Since his move to Ferrari became official in 2025, Hamilton’s positivity and motivation have been clear to see. F1 fans have noticed Hamilton is more joyous at Ferrari – a key difference from how he was at the end of his stint at Mercedes,
Hamilton is invigorated for his first season at the Maranello outfit. The challenge of working with a new team, new engine and new language is spurring the seven-time champion to put in the extra hours behind the scenes.
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According to a report from ESPN, Hamilton starts work at the factory ‘as early as 7am’ and finishes ‘late into the night.’ His briefings with his engineers even go beyond their morning window and have continued ‘over the dining table of his motorhome at lunch.’
The sheer amount of hours the Brit is putting in behind the scenes highlights just how motivated he is to make his stint in Italy a success.
Hamilton created a strong bond at Mercedes with the likes of Toto Wolff and race engineer Peter Bonnington. The 40-year-old is looking to repeat that at Ferrari and these extreme lengths at the factory will go a long way in achieving that.
What are Lewis Hamilton’s chances of an eighth world championship in 2025?
After leaving Mercedes, Hamilton has suddenly become a real contender for the drivers’ championship in 2025. The 40-year-old suffered the lowest finish of his career in 2024 with seventh in the standings.
Hamilton endured a frustrating period in the ground effect era with inconsistent machinery. But he could find himself in a much better position come the end of 2025 with Ferrari.
‘Rumours’ in the paddock say Ferrari have overtaken McLaren over the winter in development. The Woking-based outfit are the favourites for the title after winning the constructors’ championship in 2024.
Ferrari missed out to McLaren by 14 points – the closest they have come to winning the title since their last triumph in 2008. If the Maranello outfit now boast the strongest package, Hamilton has to be considered a favourite for an eighth championship.
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