Last Updated on January 21 2025, 1:47 pm

The fascination of how Lewis Hamilton will acclimatise to the unique experience of being a Ferrari driver in Formula One began yesterday. The British driver arrived in Maranello to scenes of crowd frenzy, as the local authorities deployed an additional police presence to ensure the safety of all.

The seven times world champion signed autographs, then met with his new engineers before a sit down with Fred Vasseur and Ferrari Group CEO Benedetto Vigna concluded his day. The Italians are keen to make Lewis feel at home which is made harder by his lack of languages other than English, something which has been no issue for recruits for the Scuderia since maybe the days of Nigel Mansell.

Lewis has already suffered the setback of having his first test tomorrow in the 2022 SF-75 being probably cancelled as cold temperatures and wet weather are forecast for the Fiorano region. Such is the importance to Ferrari they make Hamilton’s transition as smooth as possible they have gone to the unusual lengths of booking the circuit de Catalunya for a five day test in February where again Hamilton will run two or more year old Ferrari F1 cars.

 

 

 

Ferrari deal kept Lewis in F1 three more years

New FIA regulations restrict current full time F1 drivers from completing more than 1000km under the ‘testing of previous cars’ (TPC) regulations. So the five day test in Barcelona will be less about racking up the mileage, rather allowing Hamilton time to settle in with his new race crew ahead of the pressure of pre-season testing.

The reason Hamilton is at Ferrari is simple. With his post 2021 woes and dislike of the Mercedes last three F1 car designs, a power shift occurred in the garage in the direction of George Russell. The 19-5 hammering of Lewis by his team mate in GP qualifying in 2024 is just one of a number of metrics which suggest the powers of the seven times world champion were on the wain.

Mercedes guaranteed Lewis just the season gone on his latest deal, opening up the very real possibility he would have been replaced for the up coming campaign. The contract Hamilton has with Ferrari has been presented as guaranteed to the driver until the end of 2027, a full three more years and so the decision leave his home in Brackley of twelve years was a no brainer.

Yet there are perils ahead for the man who was a single lap away from claiming a record eighth world title just four years ago. It could be Hamilton’s driving style is the problem with the new ground effect cars and a switch to Ferrari will make little difference.

Jenson Button snubs Michael Schumacher

 

 

 

Hill predicts rapid Hamilton departure from Ferrari

It is then hard to see Lewis seeing out the three years on his Ferrari deal, despite this being the motivation for him joining the Scuderia. Yesterday Hamilton posted a photograph of himself in front of the iconic house that was Enzo Ferrari’s, along with the caption: “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days.”

1997 F1 champion Damon Hill, who recently announced his retirement from F1 presenting for Sky replied: “There it is, the beginning @scuderiaferrari.” Yet Damon has concerns over Hamilton’s Italian adventure and whilst excited to see how the drama surrounding Hamilton unfolds, he warns of consequences should Ferrari fail to deliver a winning car.

Whilst discussing his book, “Lights Out, Full Throttle”, Hill told F1 Oversteer of his concerns over Lewis’ immediate future. “What certainly would make a difference is if Ferrari gave him a bad car. If that happened the fizz would go right out of it. It wouldn’t matter how much money they were paying him.

“If Lewis Hamilton was in an uncompetitive car he’d be out of that team faster than a scalded cat.”

F1 champ predicts why Leclerc beats “struggling” Hamilton

 

 

 

Lewis makes calculated move

Yet in a recent podcast, F1 veteran James Allen explained Hamilton’s three year deal allows him time to settle into the team. Ferrari were the form team as 2024 came to an end and it could be theirs is the fastest car come the imminent test in Bahrain. If so then 2025 is the big chance for Lewis and Charles, if not the bog regulation for 2026 may afford the team the chance of titles.

“There’s the line that he had to make a choice: Where do I have the biggest chance to win the Championship in ’25, ’26, ’27, and he said Ferrari,” Allen states. In terms of remuneration, the F1 expert claims it is “more than Mercedes were paying him,” in the region of “50-55 million a year.”

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was instinctive as he felt the knives being sharpened as evidenced by him being offered just a one year deal. After the event Wolff discussed the fact that tat F1 drivers have a “shelf life” as part of the motivation for the length of term that was offered to Lewis. 

Haas milestone update

 

 

 

2025 the year of F1 driver insecurity

The Lewis Hamilton of old will emerge at the first race in Australia, although how long he retains his superpowers will be down to the kind of car Ferrari put underneath him for the coming year. There’s jeopardy up and down the grid as far as driver security is concerned, as Alpine’s Jack Doohan is believed to have a contract for just the first five races.

Alpine signed rising Argentinian star, Franco Colapinto, last week who already has a more impressive F1 CV.

Hamilton’s replacement, Kimi Antonelli will be another under scrutiny as he seeks to prove as the third youngest driver in the sport, that the future is amongst the kids. Yet Antonelli brings no guarantee of F1 success and as certain F1 observers have quietly suggested, it could be Kimi who is part of a mid-season cull including Doohan and potentially Liam Lawson along with Yuki Tsunoda.

Hamilton Ferrari first test cancelled

 

 

 

 

Wolff more complaints over Cadillac F1 entry

Come the end of the festivities and as the dark, wet January nights of northern Europe persist, Form hula One begins to emerge from its apparent hibernation. Yet the long winter sleep is only an illusion, behind the scenes frenzied activity has been taking place at the various teams’ HQs and they are keen to deliver their creations to the waiting world outside.

As the anticipation builds this year, a glimpse into the future reveals that come this time NEXT year, the frenzy will be even more apparent. With a huge new rule reset for both engine and chassis design coming in 2026, the FIA has confirmed it will significantly boost its testing plans for the 2026 F1 season.

In recent years, pre-season testing has consisted of just three days before the first official race weekend of the campaign. This has been slashed from the twelve days just over a decade ago following concerns about teams being unable to afford the $500,000 a day it cost a team to run an F1 car… READ MORE