Lewis Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari formally started slightly below two months in the past, however behind the scenes, the variation work is shifting rapidly. The seven-time System 1 world champion is changing into extra acquainted not solely along with his new group of engineers, who will accompany him on monitor in the course of the 24 Grands Prix of the 2025 season, but in addition with all the things that revolves round his work within the automobile.
The British driver has already defined how he spends a variety of time within the manufacturing unit with technicians to grasp tips on how to finest exploit the qualities of Ferrari’s Energy Unit, as every engine has its personal particular traits. This adaptation is important, particularly after spending over ten years at Mercedes, however it doesn’t imply that the Briton has utterly left his earlier expertise behind.
In a System 1 automobile, ergonomics are essential, and it’s no coincidence that many elements are made to swimsuit the precise wants and requests of the drivers, notably in prime groups. One of many key parts is the steering wheel, which over time has developed into a real mini-computer related to the management unit to handle not solely the Energy Unit but in addition different features of the automobile’s dynamics.
Ferrari has all the time sought to accommodate drivers’ requests, each by way of the steering wheel’s form and software program configuration. This course of was notably evident throughout Sebastian Vettel’s time with the group, as from his arrival in Maranello, he supplied enter and requested modifications on a number of events. Curiously, the steering wheel that Lewis Hamilton will use this 12 months at Ferrari originates from the design created primarily based on Sebastian Vettel’s enter however options adjustments in button structure and the 2 paddles used for shifting and clutch management. These modifications purpose to supply the absolute best really feel whereas sustaining sure previous habits.
New shift and clutch paddle lever are the obvious parts. Lewis Hamilton’s steering wheel from the rear, variations from that of his teammate, Charles Leclerc, are instantly noticeable. These variations stem primarily from decisions developed at Mercedes over time. It’s not uncommon for a driver, particularly after switching groups, to carry sure options from the steering wheels utilized in earlier groups. It’s subsequently logical that, after spending over ten years at Mercedes, the place he used a virtually an identical steering wheel since 2014 when it was utterly redesigned right into a slimmer and lighter unit primarily based on his enter, a few of Lewis Hamilton’s requests for his new journey replicate the habits he developed with the Silver Arrows group.
For instance, the gear shift paddle has been utterly redesigned and now has a really completely different form, with the levers not solely thinner but in addition positioned larger, adopting a design much like the one he had authorised at Mercedes. Moreover, the outer finish encompasses a coating product of a special materials to enhance grip.
In distinction, Charles Leclerc has caught with the identical structure he has been accustomed to since his debut in purple in 2019, with bigger levers positioned decrease, nearly fully behind the spokes of the steering wheel.
Intensive work has additionally been achieved on the clutch lever. Since 2019, the seven-time System 1 world champion has been used to managing the clutch with a single paddle, and he has carried over the identical configuration to the Ferrari steering wheel. Nevertheless, there are variations in comparison with the lever utilized by Charles Leclerc, not solely within the casing the place the fingers relaxation but in addition within the paddle itself.
In Lewis Hamilton’s case, the similarity with the one he had at Mercedes is instantly noticeable. It’s logical that, as with different features, the Briton has sought to duplicate in Ferrari sure parts he’s accustomed to and which have all the time labored effectively for him. The finger casing can also be completely different from Leclerc’s, clearly custom-made with 3D printing to suit the motive force’s particular wants.
Subsequent, let’s additionally take a look at the brand new button structure and modified software program. The adjustments to the clutch paddle and kit shift paddle are essentially the most important {hardware} updates, because the entrance part has remained bodily unchanged from the steering wheel that Charles Leclerc additionally makes use of.
Nevertheless, what adjustments is the association of buttons and rotary switches, which the seven-time System 1 world champion has modified to duplicate sure computerized actions he had developed with the Mercedes steering wheel. Ferrari’s unit follows a fairly completely different philosophy from Mercedes’, notably relating to the decrease part selectors, that are six in quantity, whereas Mercedes mixed them into three rotary switches with quite a few secondary sub-menus.
Specializing in the higher part, Lewis Hamilton has moved the “cost” button for vitality restoration to the higher left, accompanied by the navigation button for sub-menus (10-) and the impartial button. Beneath the cost button is the drag discount system button, which Lewis Hamilton additionally had on the entrance of the steering wheel at Mercedes.
On the proper aspect, symmetrically, there may be the “Pit verify” button, used to verify the return to the pits, one other navigation button for sub-menus (1+), the pit lane pace limiter, and the radio activation button. Moreover, the British driver has most well-liked to position the K1 button, which prompts the Energy Unit’s electrical increase, on the entrance.
One other fascinating side is the positioning of the settings for the differential, engine braking, and brake stability, which replicate these Lewis Hamilton used till final 12 months. The rotary change for the entry differential is on the prime left, whereas the high-speed differential is on the prime proper. On the left aspect, subsequent to the display, is the “brake migration” management for brake changes, whereas on the alternative aspect is the brake stability adjustment.
This results in an fascinating statement: Lewis Hamilton has moved the administration of {the electrical} system, often known as SOC, to the decrease a part of the steering wheel—one thing no Ferrari driver has achieved since 2015. The software program on the show can also be new, that includes a special structure and knowledge presentation in comparison with Charles Leclerc’s, however this side, in addition to on the button preferences, we’ll focus on in a special article.
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