Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari era is about to kick into high gear in just a couple of weeks.
With a carefully planned testing schedule, the seven-time world champion is getting ready for his debut season with the Scuderia. Before the official pre-season testing begins in Bahrain on February 26, Hamilton will hit the track at Fiorano and Barcelona.
His first outing comes on February 20 or 21 at Ferrari’s iconic Fiorano test track.
Weather permitting, Hamilton will drive an older-spec car, sticking to the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations. This isn’t about setting records. It’s about getting comfortable with the car and starting to gel with his new team in a more private setting.
The TPC rules now limit full-time drivers to 1,000 kilometers of testing. Every lap will matter, and Ferrari’s program will make sure Hamilton makes the most of his track time.
Later in February, Hamilton will continue his preparations at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.
This multi-day test session will go beyond the technical side of racing – it’s the perfect opportunity for him to build relationships with Ferrari’s engineers and mechanics. The team’s goal is to create a solid foundation of trust and communication that can make all the difference when the lights go out on race day.
Ferrari isn’t holding back on testing. All of its TPC mileage will go to Hamilton, as his new teammate, Charles Leclerc, had a lot of experience behind the wheel of these cars. It’s still a clear statement of their commitment to helping Hamilton hit the ground running.
The timing for these sessions couldn’t be better either. Ferrari will unveil their new 2025 F1 car, codenamed Project 677, at Fiorano on February 19—just in time for Hamilton’s first test.
The Beginning of Something Big
Hamilton’s support network at Ferrari is already taking shape.
Riccardo Adami, a seasoned Ferrari engineer, has been named his race engineer – it was a pretty obvious choice, as Adami has already worked with big names like Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz, and his experience will be crucial as Hamilton adapts to a new environment.
But it doesn’t stop there. Hamilton is bringing his own inner circle, including his trusted manager Marc Hynes and other key members of his personal team.
Inside Ferrari, familiar faces are waiting for him. Fred Vasseur, who played a role in Hamilton’s GP2 title, is now team principal. Jérôme d’Ambrosio and Loic Serra, both with ties to Hamilton from his Mercedes days, are also in key positions for the team, so you could say it’s a mix of old connections and fresh opportunities.
The tests at Fiorano and Barcelona are just the beginning of a new chapter in Hamilton’s record breaking career. They’ll set the tone for a season full of challenges, expectations, and hopefully triumphs.
Will this partnership bring Hamilton his record-breaking eighth title? Only time—and the roar of an engine at Fiorano—will tell.
