Lewis Hamilton has requested some modifications to his new Ferrari SF-25 after the shakedown carried out at Fiorano in latest days. The updates requested by the seven-time world champion are anticipated to be applied 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 observe. 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 sooner than the 2024 model?
In response to unofficial sources, Lewis Hamilton’s finest time was about 0.8 seconds slower than Charles Leclerc’s, though the 2 drivers adopted totally different applications. Whereas the Monegasque, in his seventh season with Ferrari, was capable of push from the beginning, the Briton targeted on familiarizing himself with the crew’s techniques 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 response to early analyses, the automobile is 0.4 seconds sooner than final yr’s Ferrari, an encouraging signal for the Maranello crew.
Hamilton requests small changes to the SF-25
In response to 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 relating to the automobile’s pedals. Not like 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, nonetheless, went off the observe.
Though preliminary theories steered a doable observe 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 number of days accessible.” He then joked: “And I positively succeeded!”
“A totally totally different automobile in comparison with Mercedes”
Chatting with the media, Lewis Hamilton mentioned the challenges of transitioning to the Ferrari SF-25, highlighting the variations from the vehicles he was used to: “It’s fully totally different. I assumed it could simply be one other System 1 automobile.” He then defined his impressions on the wheel: “I assumed it could be just like the transition from McLaren to Mercedes. There have been similarities as a result of they have been each powered by Mercedes engines, so the sound, the vibration, have been the identical.”
However with Ferrari, it’s totally different: “This can be 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 ideal expertise making an attempt to grasp it.” Adapting to the brand new surroundings takes time, however Lewis Hamilton stated he already feels fairly comfy. Now it’s time to focus on Bahrain.
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