Photo credit: www.autosport.com
Lewis Hamilton Begins Journey with Ferrari, Finding His Rhythm
Lewis Hamilton is beginning to find his footing with Ferrari, having completed a total of 115 laps in the team’s new SF-25 during pre-season testing in Bahrain. After a notable shift from Mercedes to Ferrari this winter, Hamilton has candidly discussed the challenges he faced with his previous car and his current experience adapting to the new machine.
During a recent testing session, Hamilton expressed that while it’s still early in the transition, he is enjoying the process of becoming acquainted with the Ferrari. “It’s a bit early to say but I’m really enjoying the car. We’re slowly bonding,” he remarked, highlighting the importance of the early stages of testing. He assessed one day of testing as merely satisfactory but was content to have completed the planned runs without issues.
Hamilton explained that the focus of the testing has been on various setups rather than immediate performance tuning. “We’re testing a bunch of things. So I’m not doing set-up changes or directing where I want the car to go. We’re just going through the motions,” he noted, emphasizing the methodical approach taken to understand the car’s handling dynamics.
Having spent a dozen years with Mercedes, Hamilton recognizes that adjusting to a Ferrari F1 car brought its own set of challenges. He has been exploring various setup options to find what works best. “At the moment, there’s still room to explore more, and I’m just, bit by bit, eking out a little bit more each time,” he stated, illustrating his commitment to mastering the intricacies of Ferrari’s systems.
The seven-time world champion mentioned that elements such as brake bias feel markedly different compared to his previous experiences, hinting at a learning curve that involves not just adapting but reshaping his driving style. “It likes to be driven differently. And that’s a really fun journey learning that,” he added, indicating positive progress as he familiarizes himself with the characteristics of the SF-25.
Moreover, Hamilton’s demeanor exudes a sense of revitalization, suggesting that his transition to Ferrari has been smooth and promising. Ferrari chairman John Elkann observed Hamilton’s testing, which seems to add significance to the occasion. Hamilton reflected on this impactful phase, saying, “How you start often is very important. This past month couldn’t have gone any different, and it couldn’t have gone any better.”
He highlighted the intensity and importance of these early days, stating that the team’s dedication will yield beneficial results in the coming months. “This is going to be continuously evolving, but it felt seamless. It’s felt easy in a sense of gelling with the team. We have not had to force it. It’s done it in its own time, and I feel at home,” he concluded, underlining his growing sense of comfort and camaraderie within the Ferrari team.
As Hamilton continues to adapt, both his fans and the motorsport community will be keenly watching how this new partnership unfolds in the upcoming season.
Source
www.autosport.com