Hamilton’s New Chapter: Ferrari Set to Unveil 2025 Car On February 19, 2025
Ferrari is gearing up for a thrilling new era as it prepares to unveil its 2025 car in Maranello on February 19, just a day after the unprecedented launch of all ten Formula One teams’ liveries in London. The excitement surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s debut in Ferrari red is palpable among fans, but the Scuderia is keen to manage expectations as the seven-time world champion transitions from Mercedes.
Hamilton, who will celebrate his 40th birthday on January 7, is stepping into the shoes of Spaniard Carlos Sainz. While fans are eager to see the Briton on track, his first outing is likely to occur at the Fiorano test track. Under current regulations, Hamilton will have a limited opportunity to drive cars that are at least two years old, allowing him to acclimatize to his new environment.
Team principal Fred Vasseur shared insights during a Christmas lunch at the track, highlighting the challenges of planning amid winter weather. Despite these hurdles, he expressed confidence in Hamilton’s ability to adapt quickly. “He’s not the rookie of the year. I’m not worried about this,” Vasseur stated, reassuring fans that Hamilton’s extensive experience will aid in a smooth transition.
To ensure Hamilton is well-prepared, the team will utilize simulators for race and qualifying simulations, allowing him to familiarize himself with the car’s unique features and the intricacies of its steering wheel. With official testing scheduled for February 26-28 in Bahrain, the pressure is on for Hamilton to hit the ground running.
Vasseur also clarified that there would be no grand presentation for Hamilton, reminiscent of Michael Schumacher’s arrival in the 1990s. “We have to be focused on the season,” he explained. “It will be a very tight period between the first day and the launch, and I want everybody to focus on performance.” He underscored that juggling multiple events, including the championship launch and car unveiling, would be too much for the team.
In addition to adjusting to his new team, Hamilton will need to find a new race engineer, as his long-time collaborator, Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, will remain at Mercedes to support the 18-year-old Italian driver Kimi Antonelli. Vasseur hinted that he already has a suitable candidate in mind but kept the details under wraps, emphasizing that the goal is not to replicate Mercedes’ approach. “We have to find the best way to manage Lewis,” he stated.
Adding a touch of humor to the proceedings, Vasseur noted his own struggles with learning Italian but offered his assistance to Hamilton. “You know that 99 percent of the job is in English,” he joked. “I think it’s good to speak a little bit of Italian for the mechanics, but I’m not sure it’s crucial for performance. I will be the teacher of Lewis.”
