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 carried out in time for the beginning of pre-season testing in Bahrain, scheduled for Wednesday, February 26.
After the official presentation of the automotive 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?
Based on 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 in a position to push from the beginning, the Briton targeted on familiarizing himself with the group’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. Based on early analyses, the automotive is 0.4 seconds sooner than final 12 months’s Ferrari, an encouraging signal for the Maranello group.
Hamilton requests small changes to the SF-25
Based on Auto Racer, the British driver has requested small modifications to the automotive earlier than the beginning of official testing. These can 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 automotive’s pedals. In contrast to Mercedes, which makes use of Carbon Industrie brakes, Ferrari is supplied 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 group labored on some pedal modifications for the subsequent check in Barcelona, the place Hamilton, nevertheless, went off the observe.
Though preliminary theories instructed a doable observe irregularity or points associated to the Ferrari engine, the Briton clarified that it was merely a mistake whereas looking for the automotive’s restrict: “I needed to discover the restrict of the automotive as shortly as doable as a result of I solely have just a few days accessible.” He then joked: “And I positively succeeded!”
“A totally totally different automotive 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 utterly totally different. I assumed it will simply be one other System 1 automotive.” He then defined his impressions on the wheel: “I assumed it will 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 utterly totally different transition as a result of every little thing is new—the engine, the automotive’s configuration, the settings, the terminology utilized by the group. It has been an awesome expertise attempting to know it.” Adapting to the brand new atmosphere takes time, however Lewis Hamilton mentioned he already feels fairly snug. Now it’s time to focus on Bahrain.
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