Last Updated on February 25 2025, 4:52 pm
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari debut sparks ‘seismic’ industry rumours ahead of Bahrain test as the British driver’s arrival at Ferrari takes centre stage in Bahrain – Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated first season with Ferrari has dominated the headlines all winter, and now the seven-time world champion is set to face his first major test at the wheel of the SF-25.
Alongside Charles Leclerc, Hamilton will be at the heart of this week’s official pre-season testing in Bahrain, a crucial moment for both driver and team as they prepare for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The British driver’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari has been the biggest talking point of the off-season, with expectations sky-high as the legendary team aims to return to title-winning form for the first time since 2008.
Testing so far…
Hamilton has already had four days of testing experience with the Scuderia. He completed two runs in the 2023 car during the TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) sessions, drove the 2024 car during a Pirelli tyre test and took part in the shakedown of the brand new SF-25 at Fiorano. However, the real test begins in Bahrain, where he and Leclerc will share three days of running to push the new car to its limits in unrestricted conditions.
For the first time, fans and analysts will be able to scrutinise Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari in detail. On-board footage, trackside observations and crucial lap time data will provide the first tangible insights into how well the Briton is settling into his new surroundings.
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Ferrari poised for resurgence after near miss in 2024
Ferrari’s recent form has created genuine optimism for their 2025 campaign. The team finished just 14 points behind McLaren in the 2024 season, coming tantalisingly close to finishing runners-up in the Constructors’ Championship. Although they have not won the title in over a decade, last season represented their best chance since their last triumph in 2008.
Although the team’s ultimate goal is to regain the Constructors’ Championship, the Drivers’ title remains the biggest prize. Carlos Sainz, the departing Ferrari driver, has openly backed Leclerc as a serious championship contender. The biggest unknown factor, however, is Hamilton, whose last few seasons with Mercedes have been marked by inconsistent results and struggles against a dominant Red Bull outfit.
After a difficult season in 2024, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari comes with considerable intrigue. His presence alone will boost Ferrari’s title aspirations, but whether he can immediately challenge at the top remains a burning question.
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Industry rumours suggest Ferrari have overtaken McLaren
The 2025 season is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, as teams approach the final year of the current ground effect regulations. The performance gap between the teams narrowed considerably in the second half of 2024, making even the smallest improvements crucial for the upcoming campaign.
With technical development nearing its peak, even a half a tenth of a second per lap over the competition could make all the difference. Finding those marginal gains, however, is becoming increasingly difficult as teams push their concepts to the limit.
Despite the competitive landscape, reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Ferrari have moved ahead of reigning champions McLaren in the development race. According to these “industry rumours”, Ferrari will start the season in “pole position” for both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles, signalling a major step forward for the team.
Adding weight to this speculation, respected F1 analyst Martin Brundle has previously suggested that Ferrari appear to have made the most significant performance gains over the winter. Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur has insisted that the SF-25 is “99% different” from its predecessor, underlining the extent of the changes that have been made to propel the team to the front of the grid.
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Hamilton faces fierce battle with Leclerc at Ferrari
If the rumours are true and Ferrari have indeed leapfrogged McLaren, the team could find themselves in a prime position to challenge Red Bull and Max Verstappen for the championship. However, the internal dynamics within Ferrari could play a crucial role in determining their title chances.
One of the biggest potential obstacles is the rivalry within the team between Hamilton and Leclerc. Having two top drivers in a competitive car could see them take valuable points from each other, which could ultimately work in Verstappen’s favour.
Unlike Ferrari, Red Bull’s driver pairing appears to be much more clear-cut. Verstappen is widely expected to dominate against new teammate Liam Lawson, meaning the Dutchman could face fewer internal challenges in his quest for race wins and podiums.
In addition, Ferrari’s own strategic tendencies could influence how the season unfolds. Historically, the team has prioritized the driver who qualifies ahead, often granting them first access to optimal race strategies. Given that Leclerc has consistently been one of the fastest qualifiers on the grid, this could naturally tilt the balance in his favour over Hamilton in the early stages of the season.
Former Ferrari race engineer Xavi Marcos has issued a warning to Hamilton about the challenge he faces from Leclerc. According to Marcos, Leclerc is performing at an exceptionally high level and is ready to maximise any opportunity that comes his way. With Hamilton entering a completely new car and team environment, Leclerc’s familiarity with Ferrari’s operations could give him an advantage at the start of the season.
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A defining season for Hamilton and Ferrari
With the 2025 campaign on the horizon, Ferrari are in a position of great potential, but also great pressure. The combination of Hamilton and Leclerc represents one of the most formidable driver pairings on the grid, but managing their dynamic will be critical in ensuring the team’s success.
For Hamilton, the challenge is clear. At 40 and chasing an unprecedented eighth world title, his move to Ferrari is both a gamble and a golden opportunity. If the Scuderia has indeed built a championship-winning car, Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes could be vindicated. However, if he struggles to match Leclerc’s pace or adapt to Ferrari’s way of working, his legacy could take an unexpected turn.
The upcoming Bahrain test will provide the first real answers to these burning questions. With the entire paddock watching closely, Hamilton’s first major outing in Ferrari red will be one of the most anticipated moments of the pre-season. Whether the ‘seismic’ rumours of Ferrari’s resurgence are true remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Formula 1 is on the brink of an exciting 2025 season.
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The invasion of Ukraine by the aggressor Russia three years ago today one February 24th 2022, saw Formula One take decisive action with almost immediate effect. The Uk almost immediately banned Russian drivers from competing within its territories and the US owned Haas F1 team found itself in rather a pickle.
They had hired the son of a Russian oligarch, Nikita Mazepin as one of their full time drivers for the season yet as the first missiles were fired on Kyiv, Haas were given some breathing space given this was day two of the test and their Russian driver was not scheduled to drive their car.
Haas F1 were primarily sponsored by Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, the owner of Uralkali, who had ironically influenced the design of the team’s livery to resemble the Russian flag. As the massed ranks of Russian troops crossed the border into Ukraine, Formula One was undertaking its pre-season testing in Barcelona…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
