Lewis Hamilton admits that the Ferrari SF-25 “is a lot different” from the ground-effect Formula 1 cars he’s used to driving at Mercedes.
There’s been plenty of smiles and a pinch of Italian from Hamilton across the last few weeks as he settles warmly into life as a Ferrari driver.
Until Wednesday, his driving had been limited to the SF-23 and SF-24, but he’s now had the opportunity to drive the Scuderia’s 2025 F1 car, the SF-25.
Admittedly, a Wednesday filming day around Ferrari’s Fiorano test circuit limited the mileage Hamilton could complete in the SF-25.
Still, he was already able to gauge that his new surroundings differed wildly from Mercedes’ creations from the last three seasons.
“I am still acclimatising to the Ferrari car,” Hamilton told the BBC.
“It is a lot different to what I have lived with for the last few years in this generation of cars, but also controls and everything.
“Over the last 10 years, I have been used to a certain way of working and I am still adapting to those things.”
Mercedes’ last three F1 cars, the W13, 14, and 15, produced mixed results.
Hamilton and his former team chased development problem after development problem, with the Briton clinching just two victories across the period.
Ferrari, meanwhile, has produced two outside title challengers in that time with last year’s SF-24 taking five race victories.
After missing out on the Constructors’ title by just 14 points to McLaren in 2024, there’s hope in Maranello that the car Hamilton must acclimate to is the one to end Ferrari’s title drought.
Why Hamilton is adapting his driving style to new Ferrari
With the Ferrari SF-25 presenting a new experience to Hamilton, he’s having to make adjustments to his driving style to fit in with his prancing horse.
Speaking to select media including Motorsport Week, the seven-time champion explained the various factors that differ between Mercedes and Ferrari which he’s having to tune into.
“I am definitely having to adapt my driving style,” he said.
“It’s rare that you just jump in and it just fits.
“For example, the steering wheel is completely different. All the switch settings are completely different. The software is different.
“Not only that, I am adapting to a car that’s made quite differently from what I’ve worked with in the past.
“To achieve a similar sort of thing, the feeling is a lot different.”
Despite needing to adapt, Hamilton feels he’s not having to change his “style too much” and is already “feeling quite comfortable” in the SF-25.
“I don’t feel that currently I’m having to change my driving style too much,” he said.
“I’m actually feeling quite comfortable in the car and just taking one step at a time.
“I hope and we’ll see as we get further down the line at the real race circuits that we’re going to just how much aligns and how much change I might have to do.
“The key is to be open-minded and to be dynamic. I think, luckily, with my experience, I should be able to do that.”
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