Lewis Hamilton hailed the impact TPC running has had on his Formula 1 adaptation with Ferrari during pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Before arriving in Bahrain for F1’s official pre-season testing, Hamilton sampled the Ferrari SF-23 and SF-24 in late January and early February.
The seven-time F1 champion split driving in 2023’s SF-23 at Fiorano, conducting a Testing of Previous Car programme.
Hamilton later drove a modified SF-24 during a Pirelli tyre test and he admitted that having this running ahead of the limited three-day test was a big benefit.
“I think what I’ve really enjoyed is the testing that I’ve had this year,” Hamilton told select media including Motorsport Week.
“It was super great, the TPC testing that we did,” he said.
“Fortunately, if I’d only had this day and a half, I don’t think I’d be in the position I’m in now in terms of how comfortable I feel with the car.
“It’s still some ways to go. At this point in time, there’s always time to get better.
“I still feel there’s plenty to come. But as I said, I’ve fortunately had time in the 2023 and ‘24 car and so I’m really glad to compare to the 2024 and ‘23 car and see where they’ve progressed into this one.
“Also, I didn’t get to do the test at the end of the year, so, for me, it started relatively late compared to others.”
With just a day and a half of running across the three-day test, Hamilton can thank his TPC programmes for helping him gel with his new employer.
Ferrari ‘trying to improve’ – Hamilton
Hamilton’s comfort at Ferrari could largely depend on where the Scuderia stacks up against the competition.
Speaking ahead of his final run on Friday, Hamilton spoke more about the competition, picking McLaren as potential favourites.
“Obviously it’s a lot hotter today but McLaren did a great job yesterday,” he said.
“I think also Max [Verstappen] did a decent run today.
“So, again, it’s hard to know what fuel loads everyone is running. We’re all doing our own programmes, so we have to take everything with a pinch of salt.
“But, you know, [McLaren] being the Constructors’ champions last year, we expect them to be one of the quickest, if not the quickest. As with Red Bull, who have dominated for many, many years.
“So, for us, we’re just trying to improve. I haven’t done the [race simulation] run yet, I’m about to do it this afternoon, and it will give a bit of a better understanding of how this car behaves in a race stint.
“It’s going to be my first race stint with the team. I’ve only done short [runs], about 10 laps, so it’ll be interesting. We’ve definitely got some work to do to improve.”
READ MORE – Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari SF-25 providing ‘the most positive feeling I’ve had in a long time’
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