Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged that lacking the prospect to drive for Ferrari in the course of the post-season Abu Dhabi F1 check will pose further challenges initially of the upcoming season. Regardless of this, the seven-time world champion has pledged to “do our greatest to get well” and adapt rapidly as soon as he will get behind the wheel of his new automobile.
In distinction to Carlos Sainz, who will take part within the Abu Dhabi check with the Williams FW46 subsequent month, Hamilton is not going to have the chance to familiarize himself with Ferrari’s equipment till the New Yr. This delay might impression his preparation and understanding of the automobile’s intricacies forward of the 2024 System 1 season.
Mercedes workforce boss Toto Wolff offered additional perception throughout the Las Vegas Grand Prix, explaining that attributable to “contractual agreements with sponsors,” it might have been potential for Lewis Hamilton to participate within the check with Ferrari. Nevertheless, the choice to forgo the session could pressure Lewis Hamilton and the workforce to concentrate on making up for misplaced time in the course of the early phases of the season.
“Fred didn’t ask. I believe it’s a distinction additionally for those who’re perhaps going to Williams, however we’ve got contractual agreements with sponsors.” – The Mercedes workforce principal defined final weekend – “We’re having a farewell for Lewis. We’re having plenty of actions which are deliberate. And him and I, we spoke about it shortly, and he stated, I suppose that’s not going to work. I don’t suppose it’s going to work. And that was the entire thing. So I don’t suppose Fred is especially unhappy.” – he identified in the course of the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend.
Hamilton is anticipated to have the chance to familiarize himself with the 2022 Ferrari throughout a non-public session on the workforce’s Fiorano circuit earlier than pre-season testing formally begins. This outing might present precious early insights into the automobile’s dealing with and efficiency traits.
Forward of the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton brazenly acknowledged that not taking part within the Abu Dhabi check represents a setback. He admitted that this missed observe time might create a drawback as preparations ramp up for the 2025 season, making the necessity for effectivity throughout pre-season testing much more crucial: “Am I lacking out on one thing? For certain. It positively delays the method and makes the beginning of the yr tougher, however we’ll do our greatest to get well.” – the long run Ferrari driver defined.
The seven-time world champion disclosed that he by no means immediately requested Mercedes to permit him the chance to drive the 2024 Ferrari contender. Nevertheless, he conceded that, in hindsight, he acknowledged it was unlikely that such a request would have been granted. Regardless of the likelihood, Lewis Hamilton acknowledged that the scenario was in all probability all the time going to unfold in a manner the place this explicit alternative was not realistically going to materialize.
“Look, I do know Fred needed it to occur,” he added. “For me, I used to be in two minds. Driving the pink automobile for the primary time in Abu Dhabi doesn’t excite me. In an ideal world, you’d get to drive it and never be seen and do the primary rollout subsequent yr. After I did race it, clearly with Toto, that they had all these plans that I’ve obtained to go and see among the sponsors and say their farewells. So I don’t suppose it was ever going to really be allowed, even when I’d requested to have achieved it. However as a result of I’m contracted to the workforce till December thirty first, and that’s completely nice. Nevertheless it doesn’t trouble me, once more, as a result of I wasn’t going to do the check. It’s not what I needed to do. I informed Fred that’s not what I needed to do.” – the seven-time System 1 world champion concluded.
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
