Lewis Hamilton says he’s “actually having fun with” driving Ferrari’s 2025 F1 automotive however careworn it’s “a bit early” to say whether or not it fits him higher than his final Mercedes.
The seven-time world champion is getting in control along with his new Ferrari group after finishing a blockbuster winter switch from rivals Mercedes forward of the 2025 season.
Hamilton set the tempo on the morning of the second day of pre-season testing in Bahrain however ended up being pipped to the quickest general time by Williams’ Carlos Sainz.
The 40-year-old Briton mentioned his first month as a Ferrari driver “couldn’t have gone any higher” as he gears up for his first marketing campaign with F1’s most iconic group.
“The way you begin is commonly crucial,” Hamilton mentioned. “This previous month could not have gone any totally different and could not have gone any higher. Issues alongside the best way needed to occur, Barcelona needed to occur.
“Day by day has been important and about constructing basis. While I discussed we needed to cram quite a bit in a small house of time, we have not rushed it.
“Lengthy days, however that is what we’re right here for. I feel it is going to pay dividends going forwards. It will repeatedly be evolving and it is felt seamless, felt simple in a way of gelling with the group. I’ve not needed to pressure it and I really feel at dwelling.”
Hamilton arrives at Ferrari off the again of some tough remaining years with Mercedes wherein he struggled to become familiar with the Silver Arrows’ previous few ground-effect automobiles and solely received two grands prix.
Requested if he feels Ferrari’s SF-25 fits him higher than his current Mercedes challengers, Hamilton replied: “I feel it is a bit early to say however I’m actually having fun with the automotive. We’re slowly bonding I feel.
“Yesterday was a so-so day, it was simply OK. However we acquired by all our run plans, we’re testing a bunch of issues. I am not doing set-up modifications or directing the place we wish the automotive to go, whereas as we speak was exploring a bit my interplay with my engineer.
“Up to now, I actually get pleasure from driving this automotive.”
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton nonetheless ‘exploring’ Ferrari’s F1 automotive
As a part of Hamilton’s acclimatisation to Ferrari, he has needed to get used to new working practices, a model new steering wheel, pedals, and Ferrari’s energy unit – having spent his total 18-year F1 profession driving Mercedes engines.
Hamilton, who has made a number of vital modifications to his steering wheel, mentioned there may be “nonetheless room to discover” along with his new Ferrari automotive.
“As of late are about exploring. In the intervening time, there’s nonetheless room to discover extra and little by little I am eking out a bit extra,” he added.
“All of the settings are so totally different, even brake bias is totally different. I am not essentially unlearning what I had earlier than however am studying this new approach of working and the best way this automotive must be pushed is totally different and that is a enjoyable journey.
“I really feel just like the automotive is beneath me and responding to my inputs. There’s nonetheless extra work to do however timings should not massively related, you simply must focus in your programme.
“We may have a little bit of a base feeling tomorrow however I feel it will likely be very shut. Everybody has finished a terrific job over the winter, even the Williams seems to be good.”
