« Everything is different here »: Hamilton discovers the Ferrari universe

Lewis Hamilton has officially begun his adventure in red. After completing his first laps at Fiorano and Barcelona, the seven-time world champion spoke for the first time in an interview published by Ferrari yesterday during the presentation of the 2025 F1 liveries at the O2 Arena in London.

For Hamilton, joining Ferrari represents the fulfillment of a dream he once thought inaccessible. Today is a great day for me. It’s the first time I will participate in a car presentation with Scuderia Ferrari HP. Honestly, it’s something I’ve been waiting for a very long time, he confides.

The Briton, visibly impressed, adds: « It’s a truly exciting moment, as you see how passionate and committed each person is. Realizing that you share the same dream with all these people and that you are now part of each other’s dreams is quite unique. »

A passionate and dedicated team

What particularly struck Hamilton during his first weeks at Ferrari is the atmosphere within the team. His discovery of the factory and the people working there exceeded his expectations: “The scale of the team, its size, and the passion you feel upon entering, it’s something real, almost tangible,” he explains. “These past few days, we’ve been working here until 10 PM, and no one seemed to want to go home. Everyone is so invested, and we have a very demanding learning curve to navigate together.”

This intense yet stimulating work atmosphere seems to have revitalized the 40-year-old driver. After a challenging 2024 season with Mercedes, Hamilton has regained an enthusiasm he had lost: “I knew I needed something new, a new challenge. Arriving here, I realized how much I needed it and how good it felt. I literally walk around with a big smile every day coming to work. It’s rejuvenating,” he admits.

An intense learning curve

Since his second day in Maranello, Hamilton has been working closely with Ferrari engineers to understand the specifics of his new team and to facilitate mutual understanding as quickly as possible: « Here, everything is truly different. I remember when I moved from McLaren to Mercedes, it was a big change, but there was still the Mercedes engine, so some things remained familiar. Arriving in Italy, however, everything is different », he explains.

The British driver was also impressed by the commitment of his new colleagues: « Working with everyone here has been incredible so far. You can feel that everyone is extremely motivated, determined, and fully committed. »

Unlike Mercedes, where the chassis and engine departments were separate (Brackley and Brixworth), Ferrari centralizes all its operations on a single site, facilitating communication. Hamilton took advantage of this to maximize his learning time, alternating between simulator sessions, meetings with engineers, and discussions with the aerodynamics team.

A promising relationship with Leclerc

One of the most interesting questions concerned his relationship with his new teammate, Charles Leclerc. Hamilton was optimistic about their collaboration: « Working with Charles comes naturally, without any issues. Obviously, I knew I was going to come here, but even before the announcement, we were already exchanging during race weekends. There has always been mutual respect between us », he emphasized.

The two drivers also share common interests outside of the track: « He likes to play the piano, and he clearly plays better than me. But we both love music and are interested in fashion. So outside of racing, we have common topics of discussion. », he says with a smile, while acknowledging all that he has learned so far.

The British champion anticipates a constructive but also fun relationship: « I know we’re bound to mess around a bit and have a great time during our time here. […] I know that this year, we’re likely to push each other and move forward together as teammates to try to lead this team to the front. »

Learning Italian and Cultural Immersion

The seven-time world champion has also started learning Italian, even attempting a few phrases during his interview: « Sono felice di iniziare questa nuova avventura con voi in Ferrari. Sono molto emozionato », which means: « I am happy to start this new adventure with you at Ferrari. I am very excited. », he said with a smile, admitting that this is all he has learned so far.

His affection for Italy dates back to his karting years, as he recounts: « When I was racing in Italy, in karting, at the age of 13, from 1997 to 2001, I traveled a lot in Italy, and it was probably my favorite period of my life up to that point. » These positive memories fuel his desire to immerse himself in Italian culture: « I really want to get more and more involved in Italian culture. I am already looking at places I could visit. And I always ask people here, for example, where the best Italian food is. »

A new car, a new challenge

After the official presentation in London, Hamilton, Leclerc, and Vasseur immediately flew to Italy to participate in the launch of the SF-25 today in Maranello, following its debut on the Fiorano track. This single-seater represents a special moment for Hamilton: “This car will be my car and Charles’s. I’ve driven some old cars that were designed for other drivers, but this one has been designed for Charles and me. Just that is really great,” he enthused. The characteristics of the Ferrari, particularly its suspension setup and cornering behavior, differ significantly from the Mercedes, which could better suit Hamilton’s natural driving style, especially aggressive in braking.

With less than a month before the start of the season in Australia, Lewis Hamilton still has time to refine his adaptation, especially with the pre-season tests in Bahrain from February 26 to 28. The British driver remains confident about his progress within his new team: “I enjoyed the tests we had. I pushed the car to its limits as quickly as possible, because I only have a few days, and I can say that I succeeded. It’s been really fun, each week has been so different. There’s still a long way to go with many challenges, that’s for sure, but I think we’ve covered everything we could in the limited time we’ve had so far.”