Lewis Hamilton’s preparations for the 2025 Formula 1 season are now in full swing, after the seven-time world champion took to the track for the first time for Ferrari in January.
Hamilton completed a series of laps at Fiorano in front of 3,000 fans, who were lined up since the early hours of the morning to catch a glimpse of him for the first time in red.
Maranello’s mayor even had to declare a ‘state of emergency’ before his first test, due to the sheer amount of fans that were expected to descend on the town during the week in which he first visited the headquarters of Ferrari.
There has been a lot of fanfare over the occasion, given Hamilton is going for an unprecedented eighth world title and there are questions over whether it will be possible this year.
If Hamilton misses out in 2025, there could be scope to achieve it in 2026 and preparations are already underway according to a report by Motorsport.it.
Upcoming Pirelli tests to help Ferrari develop their 2026 cars
Hamilton would next drive a Ferrari F1 car at the Circuit de Catalunya Barcelona, where the team ran a 2023 car as part of the Testing of Previous Cars rules.
The test would be cut short when Hamilton crashed, damaging the suspension and bodywork of the car, although he emerged without any injuries. Ferrari told Hamilton he could push to understand the limits of the car, and to get used to how it is likely to feel in 2025.
Hamilton will get another opportunity to test with Ferrari this week at a Pirelli test in Barcelona, in which the Italian tyre maker is testing concepts for the 2026 season. The tyres are set to be lighter to help reduce the weight of the cars, which will have a dramatic effect on handling.
According to the report, Hamilton’s feedback on the prototype tyres will be vital for technical staff including Loic Serra. Hamilton will also have the opportunity to refine a lot of the hybrid management systems, having never driven a Ferrari power unit before in his F1 career.
One issue facing Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari that he didn’t have at Mercedes
Hamilton’s career at Ferrari is set to be very different to how he found life at Mercedes, given he will no longer have the ultimate number-one driver status.
Charles Leclerc is a product of their driver academy and has embedded himself within the team’s culture, having been heard speaking Italian before – something Hamilton does not have the luxury of doing.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory
Peter Windsor has warned that Hamilton will no longer be another teammate like Valtteri Bottas, who was a capable wingman while he was winning his titles at Mercedes.
He is expected to be challenged by Leclerc in qualifying, although David Croft thinks Hamilton has his best chance at winning a title in 2025 given where Ferrari is in the competitive order.
