Race and classic pictures

New era, new gear: Hamilton’s Ferrari wheel has fans buzzing

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari debut might just be the most talked-about thing in Formula 1 since sliced tyre treads, but it’s his bespoke steering wheel that’s stealing the spotlight.

Social media went wild when Ferrari revealed a close-up of Hamilton’s new wheel, proudly displaying the message: "THE NEW ERA BEGINS."

Subtle? Not exactly. Effective? You bet.

Fans have been obsessing over the sleek design, which brilliantly blends Hamilton’s iconic logo with Ferrari’s Prancing Horse and the SF 25 model designation. It’s like Ferrari gave his steering wheel a motivational pep talk. Almost 190,000 likes in 11 hours on Instagram say the hype is real.

The complex piece of equipment itself has been redesigned to fit Hamilton’s Mercedes-trained muscle memory, because—let’s be honest—you don’t mess with a seven-time champ’s comfort.

Gear paddles, buttons and dials, and even the grip got the Lewis touch. It’s a wheel fit for a king, and totally different from Charles Leclerc’s setup. Forza!

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.