Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged that lacking the prospect to drive for Ferrari throughout the post-season Abu Dhabi F1 take a look at will pose extra challenges at the beginning of the upcoming season. Regardless of this, the seven-time world champion has pledged to “do our greatest to get better” and adapt rapidly as soon as he will get behind the wheel of his new automotive.
In distinction to Carlos Sainz, who will take part within the Abu Dhabi take a look at with the Williams FW46 subsequent month, Hamilton won’t have the chance to familiarize himself with Ferrari’s equipment till the New 12 months. This delay might affect his preparation and understanding of the automotive’s intricacies forward of the 2024 Components 1 season.
Mercedes crew boss Toto Wolff offered additional perception throughout the Las Vegas Grand Prix, explaining that because of “contractual agreements with sponsors,” it could have been doable for Lewis Hamilton to participate within the take a look at with Ferrari. Nonetheless, the choice to forgo the session could pressure Lewis Hamilton and the crew to concentrate on making up for misplaced time throughout the early levels of the season.
“Fred didn’t ask. I feel it’s a distinction additionally for those who’re possibly going to Williams, however now we have contractual agreements with sponsors.” – The Mercedes crew principal defined final weekend – “We’re having a farewell for Lewis. We’re having numerous actions which might be deliberate. And him and I, we spoke about it shortly, and he stated, I suppose that’s not going to work. I don’t assume it’s going to work. And that was the entire thing. So I don’t assume Fred is especially unhappy.” – he identified throughout the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend.
Hamilton is anticipated to have the chance to familiarize himself with the 2022 Ferrari throughout a non-public session on the crew’s Fiorano circuit earlier than pre-season testing formally begins. This outing might present worthwhile early insights into the automotive’s dealing with and efficiency traits.
Forward of the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton overtly acknowledged that not collaborating within the Abu Dhabi take a look at represents a setback. He admitted that this missed monitor time might create a drawback as preparations ramp up for the 2025 season, making the necessity for effectivity throughout pre-season testing much more essential: “Am I lacking out on one thing? For certain. It undoubtedly delays the method and makes the beginning of the 12 months tougher, however we’ll do our greatest to get better.” – the long run Ferrari driver defined.
The seven-time world champion disclosed that he by no means straight requested Mercedes to permit him the chance to drive the 2024 Ferrari contender. Nonetheless, he conceded that, in hindsight, he acknowledged it was unlikely that such a request would have been granted. Regardless of the chance, Lewis Hamilton acknowledged that the scenario was most likely at all times going to unfold in a method the place this explicit alternative was not realistically going to materialize.
“Look, I do know Fred wished it to occur,” he added. “For me, I used to be in two minds. Driving the pink automotive for the primary time in Abu Dhabi doesn’t excite me. In an ideal world, you’d get to drive it and never be seen and do the primary rollout subsequent 12 months. After I did race it, clearly with Toto, that they had all these plans that I’ve bought to go and see a few of the sponsors and say their farewells. So I don’t assume it was ever going to really be allowed, even when I’d requested to have performed it. However as a result of I’m contracted to the crew till December thirty first, and that’s completely effective. Nevertheless it doesn’t trouble me, once more, as a result of I wasn’t going to do the take a look at. It’s not what I wished to do. I advised Fred that’s not what I wished to do.” – the seven-time Components 1 world champion concluded.
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