F1 news: Five key moments defining Lewis Hamilton’s early days at Ferrari
In a month’s time, Lewis Hamilton will race in a Ferrari for the first time.
The build-up to the first race weekend has been nothing short of exciting, as Hamilton has already completed his first media and track test days at his new team.
In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo takes us through five key moments of Hamilton’s early days at the Scuderia.
First time in Rosso Corsa
As Hamilton embarks on his exciting new chapter with Ferrari, the pressure to succeed is immense.
The 2025 season brings a fresh set of challenges for the seven-time World Champion, with expectations high from both his team and fans.
From adjusting to Ferrari’s new car and its working dynamics to forming a partnership with team-mate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s last month with the Scuderia has been filled with moments that will shape his legacy at the team.
Here are five key moments from Hamilton's transition to Ferrari, each playing a pivotal role in his journey to prove himself as the team’s star driver.
Pressure mounts on Hamilton as Ferrari set expectations high for early success
As Hamilton embarks on his new chapter with Ferrari, the pressure is on for him to prove his worth early in the 2025 season.
With reports circulating that Ferrari may impose team orders between Hamilton and team-mate Leclerc, the seven-time World Champion must quickly adjust to the team and their car.
Martin Brundle has highlighted that by the third race - specifically the Japanese Grand Prix in early April - Hamilton needs to show he’s up to speed.
Ferrari expects results from their high-profile signing, and the Brit faces the challenge of proving himself against the backdrop of fierce competition and possible team hierarchy decisions.
Hamilton channels Vettel's wisdom: A new approach to his Ferrari transition
Hamilton has leaned on Sebastian Vettel for guidance as he adapts to life at Ferrari.
The seven-time World Champion took inspiration from Vettel’s meticulous approach to F1, with reports revealing Hamilton seeking advice from the German ahead of his Ferrari debut.
Hamilton has been spotted taking handwritten notes during testing, a habit Vettel was famous for.
This thoughtful, detail-oriented approach reflects Hamilton’s drive to integrate fully with the team, indicating that he is not only learning about the car but also embracing a new mindset to succeed at Ferrari.
MORE ON THE STORY: F1 news: Lewis Hamilton called Sebastian Vettel ahead of Ferrari testing debut
A setback for Hamilton: Ferrari testing incident raises concerns
A significant moment in Hamilton's Ferrari journey came when he crashed during testing at Barcelona on his third outing for the Scuderia.
The incident occurred on the second day of a private test, putting a temporary halt to Hamilton’s track time.
Although the crash wasn’t catastrophic, it marked a pivotal moment in his transition as he continued to get acclimated to the team and their car.
As Hamilton faces the challenge of mastering the SF-23, this accident underlines the intensity of the adaptation process, with even seasoned drivers experiencing mishaps as they adjust to new machines and teams.
READ MORE: F1 news: Lewis Hamilton crashes in third day of testing with Ferrari
Ferrari names 2025 F1 Car SF-25 ahead of season launch
Ferrari has revealed that their 2025 Formula 1 car will be named the SF-25, marking a significant milestone as Hamilton's first car with the Scuderia.
The car will be officially unveiled on February 19, just one day after the launch event at London’s The O2.
The SF-25 follows Ferrari's established naming pattern, which has seen the SF-23 and SF-24 used for their previous cars in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
In the lead-up to the new season, Ferrari has conducted test sessions at their Fiorano track, where Hamilton made his much-anticipated debut with the team, as well as at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Both Hamilton and his Monagasque team-mate will get their first chance to drive the SF-25 during a shakedown at Fiorano on February 19.
The team will then head to Bahrain for the official pre-season testing from February 26 to 28.
Ferrari reveals 2025 Gear: Hamilton and Leclerc's fresh look
As Ferrari unveils its sleek new 2025 team kit, including the updated race suits for both Hamilton and Leclerc, it symbolizes the start of a new era for the team.
The fresh look not only reflects Ferrari's evolving identity for the upcoming season but also marks Hamilton’s full immersion into the legendary team.
With the car launch on February 19th and pre-season testing set to begin in Bahrain, these design changes highlight Ferrari’s commitment to both style and performance as they prepare for their most crucial season in recent years.
For Hamilton, this is more than just new attire - it’s a visual representation of his commitment to Ferrari’s future.
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