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The Ferrari era begins: Vasseur warns Hamilton of the challenges ahead of the 2025 debut.

Time is running out for Lewis Hamilton as he prepares to don Ferrari red for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Team principal Fred Vasseur has outlined the daunting task ahead of the seven-time world champion, who will leave Mercedes for Mercedes’ second team. his illustrious career. With little time to adapt, Hamilton will have to rely on his wealth of experience to start strong with Ferrari.


A Narrow Timeline for the Transition

Ferrari’s pre-season program leaves Hamilton just six weeks to integrate into the Scuderia before the start of the season. Pre-season testing begins on February 26 in Bahrain, with Ferrari unveiling its 2025 car a week earlier. Vasseur acknowledged the time pressure, but expressed confidence in Hamilton’s ability to adapt quickly.

“It’s critical—you only have six weeks. It’s not easy,” Vasseur said. “But he comes with his experience—he’s not Rookie of the Year—so I’m not worried at all.”

Ferrari will rely on continuity of regulations and their 2024 benchmarks to facilitate Hamilton’s transition. However, Vasseur admitted that unforeseen factors, such as bad weather, could further complicate the already busy pre-season schedule. “If you imagine you could go to Bahrain and have a sandstorm, like we had a couple of years ago, it’s difficult, but it’s difficult for everyone on the grid,” he added.


Limited Testing Opportunities

To speed up Hamilton’s preparation, Ferrari plans to give him test time in older cars during the Test Previous Car (TPC) days. However, Vasseur cautioned that these plans depend on favorable weather conditions in January, and no specific dates have been set.

The focus for Ferrari, Vasseur underlined, is on performance, not spectacle. “I want everyone to focus on development, on performance, and not on spectacle,” he said, ruling out any public welcome event for the British driver.


Hamilton’s Unique Challenge

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marks the first time he will compete outside of a Mercedes-powered car, presenting a steep learning curve. Known for his adaptability and meticulous preparation, Hamilton will need to exploit these qualities to quickly adapt to Ferrari’s systems, team dynamics and car characteristics.

Vasseur highlighted Hamilton’s experience as a crucial asset: “It’s not starting from scratch; comes with years of experience. But it’s still a challenge, especially with the limited time we have.”


A Focused Ferrari

Ferrari’s rigorous approach to bringing in Hamilton reflects a broader commitment to performance. After years of failure against Red Bull and Mercedes, the Scuderia is determined to exploit Hamilton’s talent to return to championship competition.

While Hamilton’s arrival brings excitement, Vasseur is intent on keeping the team’s priorities clear: “We will have the car launch and the championship launch—two events is already too many!”


What’s at stake?

Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari is shaping up to be one of the most scrutinized campaigns in recent memory. As he joins one of ’s most historic teams, the pressure to deliver results will be immense, both for Hamilton to demonstrate his adaptability and for Ferrari to capitalize on his experience.

The countdown to Bahrain has begun, and all eyes will be on how quickly Hamilton and Ferrari can meld into a winning combination. With minimal margins for error and fierce competition at the top, Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari will undoubtedly be one of the definitive stories of the 2025 season.

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