Hamilton is already in a crucial acclimatisation phase at Ferrari
General
- Ludo van Denderen
Excitement is reaching fever pitch among Ferrari fans, particularly in Italy, as seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton prepares to drive an F1 car for the iconic Italian team for the first time next week. With high expectations and immense pressure, Hamilton faces a steep challenge. The upcoming month will be critical for Hamilton as he begins this new journey, laying the groundwork for what both he and Ferrari hope will be a championship-winning campaign.
Although Ferrari hasn’t confirmed a specific date, it is widely expected that Lewis Hamilton will complete his first laps in a (previous-generation) Ferrari F1 car sometime next week. The event is likely to draw enormous crowds to Ferrari's Fiorano circuit. Traffic disruptions are almost certain as hundreds, if not thousands, of passionate Ferrari fans flock to witness this historic moment.
Italy has been swept up in anticipation of Hamilton joining Ferrari, the sport’s most legendary team, in 2025. As the most successful Formula 1 driver in history, Hamilton represents what many fans see as the perfect match of talent and legacy—a potential formula for success that could deliver a long-awaited title for the Scuderia. Having faced intense scrutiny and high expectations throughout his career, the Briton is unlikely to be distracted by the excitement as he prepares to start this new chapter with Ferrari.
Ferrari fans are often impatient
Lewis Hamilton is well aware that the immense enthusiasm surrounding his arrival at Ferrari could quickly turn to frustration, disappointment, or even anger if he fails to meet the high expectations placed upon him. The 'Lewis-mania' sweeping through Italy suggests that fans may be expecting too many miracles right away, overlooking the time Hamilton will need to adapt. In reality, Charles Leclerc is poised to start the season with a significant advantage. As a longstanding member of Ferrari, Leclerc has an intimate understanding of the team’s structure, personnel and methods. Hamilton will need to acclimatise himself. Not only to the team but also to Ferrari’s unique culture and ways of working.
Hamilton faces the challenge of settling into a new team where Italian is the primary language of communication, and emotions often run high. Ferrari’s approach is to help ease his transition by allowing him to test in older F1 cars at two different circuits over the next few weeks. This strategy will allow him to familiarize himself with the team, the people, and the procedures in a less pressurised environment.
The coming weeks will show how quickly Hamilton can adapt to his new reality. If Leclerc, for example, has quite the upper hand over Hamilton after three Grands Prix, the current, positive sentiment will quickly turn amongst Italian fans and the media, making it all the more important for Hamilton to be right there in Australia at the first Grand Prix. This makes February a pivotal month for Lewis Hamilton, as it marks the most crucial phase of his brief Ferrari career. The steps he takes now—through testing, familiarization, and building relationships within the team—will play a significant role in shaping his readiness for the upcoming season.
This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon
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