Formula 1 fans eager to see Lewis Hamilton in red will have to wait a little longer than anticipated.
While there were rumors the seven-time world champion would perhaps enjoy his baptism of fire with the Scuderia at F1’s post-season test in Abu Dhabi, this was always going to be an unlikely proposition.
Hamilton is contracted to Mercedes until the end of the year and the German manufacturer has committed the Briton to promotional appearances, including one for title sponsor Petronas on the day the Abu Dhabi test takes place at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi.
However, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has assured the Italian outfit’s fans that the wait to see Hamilton in action won't be long, with the team exploiting F1’s Testing of Previous Cars rules to offer its recruit a comprehensive test session.
The format allows teams to run a driver at the venue of their choice onboard a car that is at least two years old, which means Ferrari could use one of its 2022 models, designed under the current ground-effect regulations.
Vasseur shared his confidence that Hamilton won’t need extensive seat time to adjust to Ferrari machinery and operations.
“I'm not sure that he needs tons of hours of acclimatisation,” commented Vasseur, speaking to Motorsport.com
“He is experienced enough to be quick on the first day, or at least very soon. We'll have one or two TPC days, plus the test in Bahrain, and that will be enough.”
Ferrari has the advantage of its own Fiorano test track right next to its Maranello headquarters, making it likely that Hamilton’s first laps in Ferrari red will take place there.
This will give him an initial chance to get accustomed to the team’s procedures, operational style, and the feel of a Ferrari F1 car before the sport’s official pre-season test scheduled in Bahrain from 26 to 28 February.
With the transition to 2025 already underway, Ferrari is preparing extensively behind the scenes to integrate Hamilton smoothly into its operations, a process Vasseur believes is well in hand.
He noted that Ferrari’s race team is focused on the current season, while another group is dedicated to preparing for Hamilton’s entry in 2025.
“For sure we have part of the team already focusing on ’25, on the test plan, on the communication and so, with Lewis being part of this,” he said. “But not on the race team and it's not on my mind.”
As Hamilton heads into his final races with Mercedes, the buzz around his forthcoming debut with Ferrari only grows.
Despite Ferrari’s delayed debut plans, fans are eagerly awaiting the moment when one of the sport’s most successful drivers joins its most legendary team, beginning a new chapter in the storied history of Ferrari.
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
