Lewis Hamilton Gets to Work with Ferrari as F1 Pre-season Begins

Lewis Hamilton continues his preparations for the 2025 Formula 1 season by testing with Ferrari at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this week. The seven-time world champion, who recently joined Ferrari after 12 years with Mercedes, drove a 2023 F1 car alongside teammate Charles Leclerc on Tuesday. This test follows Hamilton’s initial acclimatization session at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in Italy last week. In order to ensure Hamilton is fully prepared for the new season, Ferrari works closely with him.

He learns the team’s procedures and builds a rapport with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Both Hamilton and the team adapt to their collaboration. Hamilton took over from Leclerc in the afternoon session after Leclerc drove in the morning. Although Ferrari keeps the details of the test confidential, they expect to run for three days in Spain. They will adhere to F1’s testing restrictions during this period.

These rules limit the number of laps drivers can complete with previous-year cars. According to F1 regulations, Hamilton can only complete a total of 1,000km (621 miles) of testing each year, and the 2023 Ferrari car is the most recent permitted under these rules. Ferrari will unveil the 2025 car on February 19 followed by a brief test at Fiorano with Hamilton and Leclerc. The official pre-season test will take place in Bahrain from February 26-28.

One of Lewis Hamilton’s key challenges will be familiarizing himself with Ferrari’s engine systems. Having driven only Mercedes power-units throughout his career, Hamilton will need time to adjust to Ferrari’s different software, engine modes and control processes. Since these systems vary from manufacturer to manufacturer in modern F1, Hamilton must master them before the new season begins.