Lewis Hamilton has requested some modifications to his new Ferrari SF-25 after the shakedown carried out at Fiorano in current days. The updates requested by the seven-time world champion are anticipated to be carried out in time for the beginning of pre-season testing in Bahrain, scheduled for Wednesday, February 26.
After the official presentation of the automobile in London, Scuderia Ferrari HP returned to Italy for the standard filming day on the Fiorano monitor. Through the check day, Charles Leclerc drove the SF-25 within the morning session, finishing round 30 laps, whereas within the afternoon, it was Hamilton’s flip to get acquainted with the brand new single-seater.
SF-25 quicker than the 2024 model?
In line with unofficial sources, Lewis Hamilton’s finest time was about 0.8 seconds slower than Charles Leclerc’s, though the 2 drivers adopted totally different packages. Whereas the Monegasque, in his seventh season with Ferrari, was capable of push from the beginning, the Briton centered on familiarizing himself with the crew’s programs after 11 years with Mercedes.
Regardless of a slower lap time in comparison with Charles Leclerc, the preliminary suggestions on the SF-25 has been optimistic. In line with early analyses, the automobile is 0.4 seconds quicker than final yr’s Ferrari, an encouraging signal for the Maranello crew.
Hamilton requests small changes to the SF-25
In line with Auto Racer, the British driver has requested small modifications to the automobile earlier than the beginning of official testing. These could be comparatively minor particulars, with no substantial variations between his and Leclerc’s setups.
The Briton had already skilled some difficulties throughout his first check with Ferrari final month, notably concerning the automobile’s pedals. In contrast to Mercedes, which makes use of Carbon Industrie brakes, Ferrari is provided with Brembo-supplied supplies, a element that required an adaptation interval for Hamilton.
Throughout his debut with the 2023 Ferrari in January, the Briton reported some difficulties adapting to the braking system, experiencing a number of lock-ups. The crew labored on some pedal modifications for the following check in Barcelona, the place Hamilton, nevertheless, went off the monitor.
Though preliminary theories recommended a doable monitor irregularity or points associated to the Ferrari engine, the Briton clarified that it was merely a mistake whereas looking for the automobile’s restrict: “I needed to discover the restrict of the automobile as rapidly as doable as a result of I solely have a couple of days obtainable.” He then joked: “And I undoubtedly succeeded!”
“A totally totally different automobile in comparison with Mercedes”
Talking to the media, Lewis Hamilton mentioned the challenges of transitioning to the Ferrari SF-25, highlighting the variations from the automobiles he was used to: “It’s fully totally different. I believed it could simply be one other Formulation 1 automobile.” He then defined his impressions on the wheel: “I believed it could be just like the transition from McLaren to Mercedes. There have been similarities as a result of they had been each powered by Mercedes engines, so the sound, the vibration, had been the identical.”
However with Ferrari, it’s totally different: “It is a fully totally different transition as a result of all the things is new—the engine, the automobile’s configuration, the settings, the terminology utilized by the crew. It has been an incredible expertise attempting to grasp it.” Adapting to the brand new atmosphere takes time, however Lewis Hamilton mentioned he already feels fairly comfy. Now it’s time to focus on Bahrain.
Supply: f1ingenerale
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
