Lewis Hamilton believes that his choice to join Ferrari for the F1 2025 season was the correct one.
Hamilton moves to Ferrari after a 12-year tenure at Mercedes, where he won six out of his seven world championships.
The 40-year-old comes to Maranello with a two-year deal as he nears the end of his career. He aims to achieve a historic eighth world championship, which he feels he can accomplish with the renowned Italian brand.
“I’ve been part of two teams that won world championships; I understand what a victorious team looks and feels like,” Hamilton stated.
The enthusiasm displayed here is unlike anything you’ve encountered before.
“They possess every single element required to secure a world championship; it’s simply a matter of assembling all these parts.”
The process started for Hamilton when he joined Ferrari last month and made significant progress on Wednesday with the shakedown of the SF-25, the team’s car for 2025.
Hamilton and Charles Leclerc tested their new vehicle at the team’s Fiorano test circuit in preparation for pre-season activities in Bahrain next week.
“It’s entirely distinct,” Hamilton remarked about the driving experience compared to what he had become used to at Mercedes.
“I wasn’t anticipating… I assumed it was just another Formula 1 vehicle.”
“When I transitioned [from] McLaren to Mercedes, there were resemblances, but I suppose it’s still driven by Mercedes, so the sound and vibration remained the same, similar.”
“Although there were some variations in the car’s features, this represents a progression, as everything is entirely distinct.”
“It’s an incredibly thrilling experience.”
The initial laps in the new vehicle provided valuable information for the team but offered minimal understanding of how it could compete against its competitors.
Ferrari finished behind McLaren in last year’s constructors’ championship after launching a late push for the title.
The Scuderia is anticipated to compete this year, although McLaren is the initial favorite, while both Mercedes and Red Bull appear ready to vie for race victories.
“It’s much too soon to predict what the year will be like,” Hamilton explained.
“What we do know is that it will be extremely tight among the leading teams.”
“We haven’t observed the other vehicles; clearly, we haven’t been on the track with all the other cars.”
“Having this entire team gathered in one location is a rare experience I haven’t encountered previously.”
“Having a track beyond the factory is really amazing.”
“We understand that we have a significant amount of work ahead of us.” I understand that I have a significant amount of tasks to complete.
“I’ve been here just over a month, so I’m still adjusting to a brand new car and a different way of working, but everyone on this team has gone out of their way to make me feel welcome, and I truly feel at home.”
“I am precisely in the place I need to be.” It feels instinctive, it feels it feels appropriate.”
After Ferrari’s shakedown session in Italy, the team will travel to Bahrain for pre-season testing, commencing next Wednesday.
Next, it heads to Australia for the season’s first round in Melbourne from March 13-16.
