Mercedes overlooked as Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's main driver roster competitors predicted

Key contenders for Ferrari identified for the 2025 F1 season

The competitor F1 driver roster that poses a challenge to Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari has been revealed.

Hamilton has parted ways with Mercedes following their iconic partnership, and as forecasts for the 2025 Formula 1 season roll in, the team has been largely overlooked.

The main rivals for Ferrari have been pinpointed as the McLaren drivers.

Our experts believe that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will be the strongest competitors against Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

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"They have a well-matched duo. Even though Lando faced some criticism, his speed and performance were on par with what you would expect from a champion," Connor McDonagh said on the Crash F1 podcast.

"There were several mistakes at the beginning of the season, but by the end, he maintained a comfortable lead over Oscar."

McLaren's vehicle exhibits the greatest balance, whereas Ferrari's performs superiorly on extended straight paths and sharp 90-degree turns. McLaren holds a slight advantage.

"You can't ignore these pairings of drivers."

Uncertainty at Mercedes and Red Bull

According to Lewis Larkam, McLaren should be considered the initial front-runners for the upcoming season, given their strong performance at the end of the previous one.

The team boasts a solid duo of drivers who have demonstrated their ability to collaborate effectively. Despite the confusion surrounding team orders, they ultimately emerged victorious.

"The most important factor is the selection of drivers. McLaren boasts a robust team, and Ferrari, which already had a solid line-up, has further strengthened it."

"Questions surround Mercedes and Red Bull, particularly regarding how well Liam Lawson will perform, as his capabilities remain uncertain."

Mercedes has acknowledged that while Kimi Antonelli has shown impressive speed, they anticipate he will make errors.

Toto Wolff anticipates being extremely frustrated.

Conversely, when he succeeds, it will be quite remarkable.

When you think about it, McLaren and Ferrari have an advantage when it comes to their roster of drivers.

"As the season progresses, these two teams are expected to be the main contenders for the constructors' title."

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Analysis: The buzz around Lewis Hamilton and Marc Marquez is set to significantly impact motorsport in 2025

In 2025, two of the most renowned figures in global motorsport, Lewis Hamilton and Marc Marquez, will make major changes in their careers as they aim to solidify their places in history

Today is Wednesday, January 22, 2025, and this particular off-season has been unusually vexing. If you speak to professionals in the motorsport industry, many would agree that the winter break always seems too short.

This remains accurate. The MotoGP season officially concluded on November 19 after the test session in Barcelona. Meanwhile, Formula 1 extended its season into the second week of December. The MotoGP season is set to kick off in a little over a month in Thailand, while Formula 1 will begin its season a few weeks later in March. Together, these two premier motorsport series are slated to have a combined total of 46 races in 2025.

Explore further: The reasons behind the unavoidable conflict within Ducati's MotoGP powerhouse team

However, as we approach 2025, there is an enthusiasm we haven't experienced in some time.

It’s undeniable that since the thrilling events of the 2021 season, Formula 1 has lacked a truly captivating contest for the drivers' title. Red Bull and Max Verstappen have cruised to victory four consecutive times. Although they faced some competition in the latter part of last year, their overwhelming success in winning seven out of the first ten races made the final result fairly expected.

In recent years, MotoGP has experienced its championship races reaching their climax in the final moments. Yet, despite this thrilling potential, the excitement surrounding these contests hasn't quite matched expectations. The 2022 showdown between Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo was largely unremarkable, as Bagnaia benefitted from a steady drop in Yamaha's performance. Similarly, the most recent duels between Bagnaia and Jorge Martin have not been particularly memorable or considered among the top title clashes in the sport's history.

Without diminishing anyone's accomplishments, the influence of a star is crucial to any championship story. Valentino Rossi's initial five premier class victories were achieved with ease, yet he remained the central figure. His charisma, his competitive interactions on the track, and his exuberant celebrations all fascinated fans.

In his initial five MotoGP championship victories, he secured three of them with a lead exceeding 100 points. In the other two seasons, he maintained a solid advantage. Nonetheless, those periods were marked by unforgettable events both on and off the racetrack, which have since become highlights. His switch from Honda to the less favored Yamaha team in 2004, where he replicated his success, only boosted his status as a superstar.

The 2008 championship victory was also impressive, but the competitors he faced were becoming more formidable, leading to intense rivalries and thrilling moments. This was particularly evident during his 2009 championship battle with his Yamaha teammate, Jorge Lorenzo. Although he had a shot at securing a seventh title, the certainty of victory was waning, and his reactions to these challenges made the competition even more compelling.

During the late 2000s and early 2010s, Formula 1 arguably experienced more exciting championship contests, with the years 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012 all being particularly unforgettable seasons.

For numerous individuals, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes' overwhelming success from 2014 to 2020 stands as a significant chapter in the history of Formula 1. Similar to Valentino Rossi, Hamilton's repeated victories not only enhanced his fame but also attracted global interest. This mirrors the era of Michael Schumacher's dominance in the previous decade.

Despite his immense popularity as a racer, Max Verstappen lacks the legendary presence that figures like Rossi or Schumacher have.

Lewis Hamilton Joins Ferrari

This week has clearly demonstrated that while fans enjoy thrilling races, they are even more captivated by big moves from their favorite stars. Marc Marquez’s debut as a factory Ducati rider has sent excitement levels soaring among fans, and Lewis Hamilton taking the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car at Maranello on Wednesday for the first time has set social media ablaze. The official F1 Twitter account’s post about the event has garnered 1.7 million impressions within just a few hours, and Hamilton’s initial photo from Maranello has become F1's most liked image on Instagram. Additionally, a large crowd gathered in Maranello to witness his first laps.

There’s no denying it: this is an incredibly thrilling period for motorsport, particularly as these events were unimaginable just a few years back.

There are numerous similarities in the racing journeys of Marquez and Hamilton. Hamilton had already made a name for himself as a prodigy when he entered Formula 1 in 2007, which was just a year before Marquez launched his grand prix career in the 125cc World Championship. Both athletes experienced swift and captivating ascents in their respective sports.

In 2013, Marquez entered the MotoGP scene for the first time, coinciding with Hamilton's controversial and much-discussed switch from McLaren, where he clinched the world championship in 2008, to Mercedes. At that point, Mercedes had only secured one grand prix victory since acquiring the former Brawn GP team in 2010. However, this year turned out to be the beginning of an era of dominance for both athletes.

Marquez achieved the remarkable feat of becoming a world champion in his debut season. In 2014, as Formula 1 transitioned to hybrid engines, Hamilton secured his second championship, and Marquez also clinched his second title. Hamilton went on to claim his third championship in 2015, with Marquez following suit in 2016. Between 2017 and 2019, both Hamilton and Marquez dominated their respective sports. The trend likely would have continued in 2020 if Marquez hadn't severely injured his arm in the first race of the season.

Both experienced similar career trajectories, with successes and downturns occurring simultaneously. The introduction of F1's ground effect regulations in 2022 posed challenges for Mercedes, leaving Hamilton without a victory for two years. Meanwhile, Marquez made his return to racing in 2021, securing three wins. However, he was sidelined for a significant portion of 2022 to undergo a fourth surgery on his arm to realign the bone to its proper position.

In peak condition for 2023, he was given an underperforming bike by Honda, allowing him to secure only a single podium finish. With slim prospects of Honda improving by 2024, he decided to terminate his factory contract a year ahead of schedule to switch to Gresini Ducati for the upcoming season. Similarly, at the beginning of the previous year, Hamilton chose to prematurely conclude his extended agreement with Mercedes before the season kicked off, opting instead to sign with Ferrari for 2025.

In 2024, Marquez returned to the winner's circle, claiming victories on a Ducati from the previous year for the first time since 2021, while Hamilton similarly ended his winless streak that had persisted since that year.

Looking ahead to 2025, both athletes will don red attire—Hamilton with Ferrari and Marquez with the official Ducati team—as they aim to enhance their illustrious careers, having returned to peak performance the previous year.

Liberty Media's purchase of MotoGP is currently paused due to an investigation by the EU. However, if Marquez and Hamilton achieve success wearing red this year, it will greatly benefit the company. Liberty Media is eager to capitalize on the fact that it holds some of the most significant assets in motorsport.

Naturally, victory is not assured for either individual. Hamilton, being eight years senior to Marquez, is nearing the conclusion of his Formula 1 journey, while Marquez still has some time left in his MotoGP career. Both athletes will encounter significant challenges, not only from within their teams, with Hamilton contending against Charles Leclerc and Marquez against Francesco Bagnaia, but also from external competitors.

The advancements of both entities will be a hot topic each week during this season, likely encouraging more casual viewers to follow along consistently. If both manage to clinch their respective championships, they will be celebrated as significant comeback tales, though for distinct reasons. Consequently, 2025 would be remembered as one of the standout years in motorsport history.

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Lewis Hamilton likens himself to Michael Schumacher, emphasizing the significance of the "human element" in achieving success. He believes this quality remains crucial in the present day, and Hamilton is regarded as someone capable of infusing the team with that kind of influence.

Formula 1 steward Johnny Herbert observes that Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher share the ability to unite and inspire their teams, highlighting the crucial role of the "human element."

Hamilton begins a fresh chapter with Ferrari in the 2025 F1 season after parting ways with Mercedes, where he spent 12 years.

In the past week, the seven-time world champion made his initial visit to Maranello prior to driving Ferrari's 2023 Formula 1 car on the track.

Hamilton is optimistic that joining Ferrari will lead to him achieving a historic eighth Formula 1 championship victory.

Between 2000 and 2004, Schumacher clinched five of his seven Formula 1 championships with Ferrari. He was frequently praised for his talent in collaborating with the team on a personal level.

In an interview with Casinoutanspelpaus.io, Herbert expressed his belief that Hamilton is capable of emulating Schumacher's achievements.

Herbert emphasized the significance of feedback from drivers, stating, "The input from drivers remains crucial. In the past five years, there have been instances where the simulator and its algorithm have become the primary focus, serving as the main guide for car development."

"As demonstrated by Mercedes, for instance, they faced significant difficulties but improved once they paid more attention to their drivers' feedback. The human factor is always crucial. A driver like Hamilton possesses a remarkable talent for articulating the car's performance and conveying what he anticipates from it."

The first person I ever noticed doing that was Michael Schumacher. He ensured that Rory Byrne, Ross Brawn, and Jean Todt were all on the same page and understood his requirements for the car. This coordination enabled them, particularly Rory as the designer, to provide Schumacher with the necessary resources.

Hamilton has the potential to deliver significant impact to Ferrari. Despite facing personal difficulties in 2024, the 40-year-old driver is expected to have the drive and determination to compete for the championship this year.

Ferrari last claimed a constructors' championship title in Formula 1 in 2008, marking the beginning of a lengthy period without a title win.

Over the past twenty years, neither Fernando Alonso nor Sebastian Vettel has managed to secure a championship for Maranello, a situation that Hamilton is optimistic will be different during his tenure with the team.

Herbert, a former teammate of Schumacher at Benetton, feels assured

Hamilton is expected to greatly influence Ferrari.

"He contributed a personal touch to the team, which was Michael Schumacher's influence," he mentioned.

Even now, that's significant, and I believe Hamilton is someone who can contribute that kind of strength to the team.

"There’s no justification for Ferrari not to have made progress compared to last year. While it's true that other teams will also make advancements, Ferrari has no excuse not to."

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Connor, known for his keen insight into Formula 1's debates and narratives, is the driving force behind our objective journalism.

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Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia face off in the inaugural race of 2025, each experiencing a unique set of challenges. "I knew even before the alarm went off that the race wouldn't end in my favor!"

Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia have already faced off in their initial race of the season.

The new Ducati team members faced off against each other on the ski slopes in Italy.

🎿 A key race in 2025 for the #DucatiLenovoTeam 😂#ChampionsOnTrack #Ducati #GoDucati #madonnadicampiglio pic.twitter.com/ujQxYUVOpC— Ducati Corse (@ducaticorse) January 21, 2025

Bagnaia grinned while talking about how much they relished skiing during a shared interview in the mountains.

Marquez mentioned that he understood he would not win the race even before the alarm went off.

"I usually don't ski at all! In my entire life, I've probably gone skiing around 10 times."

"I began skiing quite late in life, around the age of 23 or 24, simply as a pastime."

Marquez humorously brought attention to his recent contract with Ducati Lenovo.

"The agreement clearly states 'no skiing,'" he remarked.

"However, since everyone is okay, you are free to mention it!"

"We had a great time. We organized a sort of race, and we really liked it. Our performance kept improving."

At the 2025 bike launch event in Italy, the atmosphere between Ducati's leading rider Bagnaia and their high-profile newcomer Marquez was cheerful.

There will be close observation to see if the atmosphere in the garage remains as agreeable.

Bagnaia and Marquez are anticipated to compete against each other for the 2025 championship, with both riders having access to the same level of equipment.

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For ten years, James worked as a sports journalist at Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of topics including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Lando Norris is "prepared to challenge everyone" in Formula 1's 2025 season. The McLaren driver has expressed his optimism about his chances of competing for the F1 championship as the 2025 season approaches.

Lando Norris has announced that he is "prepared to challenge everyone" as he aims to secure his first Formula 1 world championship in 2025.

The McLaren racer fell short in the 2024 world championship, ending up 63 points behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive title with two races still remaining.

Following his most successful Formula 1 season so far, during which he played a key role in McLaren's victory in the constructors’ championship, the 25-year-old British driver, who secured four victories and started from pole position eight times, is eager to improve on his performance in the upcoming season.

"It hits hard when you come to terms with the fact that 'it's over'," Norris mentioned on the BBC podcast F1: Back at Base.

"Since childhood, this has been my passion and all I've ever wanted to pursue. Therefore, when that opportunity disappears, it's painful."

Over the past year, I've genuinely felt a sense of pride in how I've performed. I'm proud of how I've managed to succeed despite the pressure we've faced, coming through when it really mattered.

"I've committed errors, and simultaneously, I've gained significant lessons from them."

"Heading into the next year, we feel confident saying, 'we possess the necessary resources, including a capable car.' I truly believe in my skills as a driver and that I have all the qualities required."

Looking forward to 2025, I feel thrilled about how much I've learned and grown, and I'm prepared to face any challenges head-on.

In the past, I've had issues with my confidence, but over the course of this season, I've gradually gained enough to say, "I believe I'm a capable driver and can win a championship next year." I'm ready to challenge anyone who wants to compete against me for it.

McLaren Needs to Step Up in 2025

Even after clinching the constructors' championship for the first time since 1998 and finishing the season with the fastest vehicle, McLaren's team boss Andrea Stella emphasized that they must not become overconfident.

Stella mentioned on the podcast that it would be very naive to assume that winning the constructor championship once guarantees future success.

Achieving success requires demonstrating excellence in your work, particularly by surpassing the quality of your efforts in 2024. It was crucial to talk about the numerous chances we have to improve.

"We secured the constructors' championship for 2024, though our average performance edge was only 0.04%, and we led by a points margin of 2%."

Accumulating more than 666 points in a season signifies that if there's no improvement in the following year, one should be prepared to encounter defeat.

"We aim to avoid defeat and maintain our winning streak, so it's essential to set higher standards moving forward."

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Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez share the story behind a notable photograph. They first encountered each other in 2010.

Francesco Bagnaia has shared the backstory of a popular photo from 2010, capturing his first meeting with Ducati MotoGP teammate Marc Marquez.

Two-time MotoGP champion Bagnaia will team up with Marquez at the Ducati factory team in 2025. This week in Italy, they revealed the brand's colors for the upcoming season.

Find out why tensions are bound to arise within Ducati's MotoGP powerhouse team in 2025.

Check out this Instagram post from Crash MotoGP (@crashmotogp_).

The duo had previously faced off in 2024 during a contentious incident at the Portuguese Grand Prix and once more at the Spanish GP in a direct competition for the win. However, during their inaugural joint interview, they maintained a friendly demeanor.

At the event held at Madonna di Campiglio and moderated by TNT Sport commentator Gavin Emmett, Marquez and Bagnaia were questioned on various subjects.

A notable instance involved a popular photo of the duo captured in 2010. At that time, Marquez was competing in the 125cc category, while Bagnaia had not yet entered the grand prix racing scene.

Bagnaia recalled that particular day.

During the time he clinched his initial championship, I vividly recall that particular day. We were present for what was likely the second or third test of the season with the Monlau Competicion team in Barcelona. Marc was also there as he was practicing with the supermoto.

"He simply dropped by to greet us. That season, I was sharing the garage space with Lorenzo Baldassarri."

"I requested a photo since he was a young Spanish racer who had performed exceptionally well with KTM the previous year. My crew chief mentioned that we should keep a close eye on him this season because he believed we would achieve success. And indeed, he succeeded."

Explore further: The impact of Lewis Hamilton and Marc Marquez's popularity on motorsport in 2025.

In his third year in the 125cc category, Marquez clinched the championship title on a Derbi by securing 10 race wins. He then advanced to the Moto2 class in 2011.

When questioned regarding the identical photograph, Marquez stated: “I don’t recall the specifics of that day, but I do remember that he was racing for Monlau, and I had a close connection with Monlau Competicion.

"However, I couldn't recall the specific day."

Marquez attended the event to back his younger sibling, Alex Marquez, who was likewise participating in tests with the Monlau Competicion crew.

In 2013, Bagnaia entered grand prix racing at the same time Marquez made his first appearance in the MotoGP category, where he ultimately claimed his inaugural premier class championship.

Bagnaia did not achieve his first grand prix victory until 2016, when he won twice riding a Mahindra. He then advanced to Moto2, where he claimed the championship title in 2018.

He first appeared in MotoGP in 2019 with Pramac Ducati, then joined the main Ducati team in 2021, ultimately securing the championship titles in both 2022 and 2023.

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F1 Subreddit with 4.8 Million Members Prohibits Content from Twitter/X

Details of the Ambitious New Strategy

A self-governing subreddit dedicated to Formula 1 has generated excitement with its audacious new proposal.

The r/formula1 subreddit has successfully created a vibrant community consisting of 4.8 million members, humorously referred to as "drivers."

It is now among the top 1% of all subreddits.

On Wednesday, they announced that content from Twitter/X will no longer be allowed on the r/formula1 platform starting today.

"We encourage journalists, content creators, photographers, and other individuals involved in Formula 1 to share their work on different platforms as well."

They elaborated by saying, "For quite some time, this subreddit has imposed limitations on the type of content that can be shared."

"We implemented a system to rate sources, which assesses the quality of news websites. This system continues to be used to eliminate articles that are sensationalist or lack originality."

"Instagram has posed challenges as it requires users to have an account to see posts. Meanwhile, Twitter's quality has declined over recent years. Issues include mandatory logins, a surge of automated accounts, a focus on content from paying users, and the encouragement of sensational content."

Unlike news websites within our source-rating framework, there wasn't a substitute for Twitter. However, with new options now appearing and yesterday's discussion indicating that the community favors these alternatives, we believe it's time to experiment with running the subreddit without Twitter content.

This marks a daring new approach to distributing Formula 1 content that excludes Elon Musk's X, previously referred to as Twitter.

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Ducati hints at "risk" involved in GP25 development during Sepang test

Gigi Dall'Igna talks about the latest Desmosedici

Gigi Dall’Igna chose not to disclose any details regarding the technical modifications for the Ducati GP25.

He did, nonetheless, disclose several new components that are set to be introduced in the forthcoming pre-season testing sessions in Malaysia and Thailand.

This year, MotoGP will feature three factory-spec Desmosedici bikes, which is one less than before.

Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, who both ride for the Ducati Lenovo team, along with VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio, are set to gain an advantage by competing on the top-performing bikes in MotoGP.

Dall’Igna stated that the goal for this year is to improve the existing bike rather than creating an entirely new model.

"The bike from last year brought us much satisfaction and excellent outcomes. Therefore, we have focused on implementing new solutions and making further advancements on that model."

"Discussing the upcoming tests set to begin in two weeks, there's a lot of fresh material for us to experiment with. We are introducing a new swingarm and chassis. Additionally, we have a brand-new fairing and several other components that have been modified and refined."

"We need to experiment with each of these components. However, we'll be very rigorous in choosing only those that truly prove effective and show a significant impact."

"We might set aside the parts we're uncertain about for now, and consider revisiting them later in the season."

"There is a lot to consider and analyze, especially in light of our rivals' actions."

"I enjoy embracing technical challenges. Throughout my life, I've consistently taken risks, but it's important to approach them wisely. You should seize opportunities to take risks when the timing is right…"

The Sepang testing sessions will kick off with the Shakedown running from January 31 to February 2. During this period, Ducati will be represented on the track solely by test rider Michele Pirro and newcomer Fermin Aldeguer.

The remaining Ducati MotoGP team, which features Fabio di Giannantonio as a third rider with factory specifications from VR46, will participate in the Official test scheduled from February 5th to 7th.

As MotoGP manufacturers prepare for the challenge of creating new 850cc bikes for the year 2027, Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia will have their engine designs locked in place from the start of the season in Thailand through to the conclusion of 2026.

A single aerodynamic body modification during the season will still be permitted, and there will be no limitations on the development of the chassis.

Yamaha and Honda are not subject to the engine design freeze at the moment because they rank at the bottom of the table in the D concessions category.

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For two decades, Peter has been present in the paddock, witnessing Valentino Rossi's career from start to finish. He is a key figure in reporting on Suzuki's departure and the injury challenges faced by Marc Marquez.

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VIDEO: Christian Horner takes the wheel of a Red Bull F1 car for his debut drive

Catch a glimpse of Christian Horner in action as he pilots a Red Bull Formula 1 car for the very first time.

Red Bull has shared video footage capturing the moment when team principal Christian Horner took an F1 car for a spin for the very first time.

In July, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Horner had the opportunity to drive the RB8, the vehicle that helped Sebastian Vettel secure the drivers’ world championship in 2012. During the same weekend, he also took the helm of the team’s 2011 car, the RB7.

Although Horner has been the constant team principal for Red Bull since 2005, he had never personally taken one of the team's cars for a spin. The last time he drove a Formula 1 car was in 1993 when he tested a Lotus at Hethel.

On Wednesday, Red Bull unveiled fresh behind-the-scenes video clips featuring Horner as he took part in a preliminary shakedown at Silverstone before the Goodwood event, and during the Festival of Speed as well.

VIEW THE VIDEO CLIP BELOW

The event, celebrating Red Bull's 20th anniversary, saw Horner take the wheel in place of Vettel, who was initially expected to be the driver.

He expressed his enjoyment, mentioning that it was his inaugural experience driving a Red Bull vehicle, as well as his first encounter with a hand clutch and a two-pedal setup, while speaking to journalists at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Christian Horner mentioned that Sebastian Vettel was supposed to take the wheel of one of the vehicles at this event. However, since Vettel is currently on vacation with his family and couldn't attend Goodwood, the team proposed that Horner should take on the driving duties instead.

"I last drove a single-seater back in 1998, and the last time I was behind the wheel of a Formula One car was in

"Yesterday, I had the chance to drive a car equipped with a hand clutch and a brake that operates with the left foot. It was an incredible honor and privilege to get behind the wheel of one of these remarkable vehicles, which has won a championship."

It's astonishing how fast these cars can go and the significant impact that aerodynamics have on their performance.

"The most surprising sensation I felt during takeoff was as if an anchor had been dropped."

"It's similar to slamming the brakes in a regular car. When you press the brakes, you find yourself trying hard to stop your chin from dropping to your chest. I had such a great time that I accidentally bypassed the pit lane and ended up doing one more lap."

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Exclusive: Lewis Hamilton’s Timing Details from Ferrari F1 Test Debut

Information regarding Lewis Hamilton’s first-ever Formula 1 testing session with Ferrari conducted on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Lewis Hamilton made his much-anticipated first appearance on the track as a Ferrari F1 driver.

The driver, who has won the world championship seven times, took Ferrari’s 2023 Formula 1 car for a test run at the Fiorano track as part of his efforts to get used to his new team.

According to AutoRacer, he completed each lap in precisely one minute. The report suggests that minor errors and chilly weather conditions affected his lap times.

At 9:16am local time (8:16 GMT), Hamilton appeared on the track for the first time, navigating a wet surface amid foggy weather to complete an installation lap.

A 40-year-old British driver completed approximately 30 laps over four sessions during the morning. This added up to about 100 kilometers, which is part of the 1000-kilometer limit that current drivers are permitted to run for their teams under Formula 1's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) rules.

Lewis Hamilton experienced driving a Ferrari for the first time. Initially, he tested Pirelli's 'Academy' tires designed for wet conditions and not used in races. Later, he switched to slick tires for his concluding session, completing approximately five laps.

Hamilton experienced a noticeable loss of traction, resulting in minor wheel lock-ups and a wide turn during one of his laps in the opening 10-lap stint.

Hamilton finished his run shortly after 11:00 a.m. local time (10:00 a.m. GMT) as the weather began to deteriorate.

In the afternoon, Charles Leclerc, the new addition to the team, stepped into the SF-23 for a session in the rain and then delighted the passionate tifosi by performing some donuts.

At lunchtime, Hamilton approached the fans who had endured the chilly and gloomy weather to gather along the track's outer fence, eager to see their new idol and Ferrari's prominent recruit for the first time.

Craig Slater, a journalist for Sky Sports News, was present at the scene and reported that "thousands" of fans were present for the test event, which was officially not open to the public.

The excitement over Hamilton's initial week with Ferrari began with a trip to the renowned Maranello headquarters on Monday, and it was said to have caused a 'state of emergency' in the area.

During the initial test on Wednesday, Hamilton gained early insights into Ferrari's Formula 1 vehicles and had the opportunity to understand how the Ferrari engine functions.

Up until now, Hamilton's entire 18-year career in Formula 1 had been exclusively with Mercedes engines.

The day will have provided Hamilton with the opportunity to become familiar with the team's operational methods and establish a connection with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami.

Hamilton is set to be allowed to drive approximately 900 more kilometers in previous models of Ferrari's Formula 1 cars. Sources indicate that Ferrari has reserved the Barcelona track for another Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) session for Hamilton, scheduled for the end of this month.

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Lewis frequently travels across the globe to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. From his position on-site, he often shares the narratives of key figures in the motorsport world.

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Unveiled: Lewis Hamilton's Lap Time During First Ferrari F1 Test

Details on Lewis Hamilton's initial Formula 1 test session with Ferrari, which took place on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Lewis Hamilton made his much-anticipated debut on the track as a Ferrari Formula 1 driver.

The seven-time world champion took Ferrari's 2023 Formula 1 car for a spin at the Fiorano test track, aiding in his adjustment to the new team.

According to AutoRacer, he completed each lap in precisely one minute. The report suggests that minor errors and chilly weather conditions affected his lap time.

At 9:16 am local time (8:16 GMT), Hamilton appeared for the first time, venturing onto the wet track shrouded in fog for a preliminary lap.

A 40-year-old British driver completed approximately 30 laps across four sessions during the morning. This amounted to roughly 100 kilometers, which is a portion of the 1000-kilometer limit that current drivers are permitted to run for their teams under Formula 1's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations.

Lewis Hamilton initially tried out Pirelli's 'Academy' tyres designed for wet conditions during non-race weekends. Later, he changed to slick tyres for his last stint, completing approximately five laps.

Hamilton experienced some grip issues, which became apparent when he had a few minor lock-ups and went off track on one of his laps during his first 10-lap stint.

Hamilton finished his run just after 11:00 local time (10:00 GMT) as the weather started to deteriorate.

In the afternoon, new team member Charles Leclerc got into the SF-23 for some driving on the wet track, later delighting the devoted fans with some impressive donuts.

At lunchtime, Hamilton approached the supporters who had endured the chilly and dreary weather, gathering along the edge of the track to get their first look at their new hero and Ferrari's latest standout recruit.

Craig Slater, a journalist for Sky Sports News, was present at the event and reported that "thousands" of Ferrari fans, known as tifosi, were attending the test session, which was supposed to be held privately.

The excitement over Hamilton's initial week with Ferrari was so intense that it reportedly caused a 'state of emergency' in the area. His week began on Monday with a trip to the renowned Maranello headquarters of the team.

During the initial test on Wednesday, Hamilton likely gained some preliminary insights into Ferrari's Formula 1 vehicles, while also having the opportunity to understand the functioning of the Ferrari engine.

Up until now, Hamilton has spent his entire 18-year Formula 1 career driving cars powered by Mercedes engines.

The day will have given Hamilton the opportunity to familiarize himself with the team's methods and establish a good relationship with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami.

Hamilton is set to be allowed to drive approximately 900 more kilometers in older model Ferrari Formula 1 cars. Reports indicate that Ferrari has reserved the Barcelona track for another testing session with Hamilton, scheduled for the end of this month.

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Lewis Hamilton speaks out for the first time after his experience driving a Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton shares his thoughts following his initial test drive of a Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton has shared his initial impressions after driving a Ferrari for the first time.

On Wednesday in Italy, Hamilton took the driver's seat of his new Formula 1 team's vehicle.

Following the completion of 30 memorable laps in his inaugural stint with Ferrari, he shared his thoughts on the experience.

"I've had the fortune of experiencing numerous milestones in my career, ranging from my initial test and race to achieving my first podium finish, victory, and championship," stated Hamilton.

"I wasn't certain how many more experiences I would have, but driving a Scuderia Ferrari high-performance car for the first time this morning was an incredible feeling."

As soon as I turned on the engine and maneuvered the vehicle out of the garage, a huge grin spread across my face.

"It took me back to when I first drove a Formula 1 car; it was an exhilarating and unique experience, and now, nearly two decades later, I'm reliving those feelings once more."

From the beginning, I was aware of the intense passion shared by the Ferrari family, which includes everyone on the team and the dedicated Tifosi fans.

"Experiencing this directly as a Ferrari driver has been truly breathtaking. Their enthusiasm is deeply ingrained, and it's impossible not to feel invigorated by it."

"I deeply appreciate the warmth and support I've received from everyone in Maranello this week. We have plenty of tasks ahead, but I'm eager to begin."

A mother's affection is everlasting! ❤️ Lewis Hamilton had his mother, Carmen, accompanying him during his inaugural Ferrari F1 test. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/OapqgNNU0r— Crash.net – Formula 1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) January 22, 2025

A mother's affection is everlasting! ❤️ Lewis Hamilton had his mother, Carmen, accompanying him during his inaugural Ferrari F1 test. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/OapqgNNU0r

Charles Leclerc, the new member of the team, expressed his excitement, saying, "Returning to the car after the break is always a fantastic experience. It's wonderful to be racing again and to see such a large crowd of fans who have come to watch us."

Experiencing the buzz around the team is incredibly inspiring. Despite some rain during my drive, it turned out to be a pleasant day.

Certainly, witnessing Lewis take his initial laps in a Ferrari was a memorable experience for both the team and him. I'm eager to return to the car next week and begin putting in significant effort for the upcoming season.

Ferrari's team leader, Fred Vasseur, expressed that the initial experience on the track each year feels similar to returning to school after a break, evoking a lot of emotions. This was particularly true today, as it marked Lewis's debut with the team.

Introducing a fresh driver is always a significant occasion. While today might not have been particularly extraordinary for Charles, it was reassuring to see him in good shape, at ease, and eager to return to racing.

On the technical front, Charles and Lewis completed their laps despite less-than-ideal weather conditions. They managed to reacquaint themselves with the track atmosphere ahead of the official testing session scheduled for next month in Bahrain.

"The day served as a practice session for the crew in the garage, which was its only objective."

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For ten years, James worked as a sports journalist at Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of topics including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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