S Poddar
Lewis Hamilton is undergoing one of the most challenging changes of his storied career as he gets used to life at Ferrari on the eve of the eagerly awaited 2025 Formula 1 season. Having spent 11 years at Mercedes, winning 84 Grand Prix and establishing himself as one of the all-time greats of the sport, the seven-time world champion is now in new territory with his new team.
With the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Circuit fast approaching from March 14-16, Hamilton is working tirelessly to adapt to the unique challenges of Ferrari’s SF-25. Unlike his previous team switch in 2013, when he moved from McLaren to Mercedes—both of which operated with Mercedes power units—his latest transition involves a complete overhaul of his approach to racing.
The 40-year-old Briton has admitted that adapting to the nuances of Ferrari’s equipment has been anything but easy. “I’m still getting used to a whole new car, a whole new way of working,” Hamilton explained to the media, including Total-Motorsport.com. The adjustments are not merely performance-related but also relate to comprehending the radically different design ethos of Ferrari versus what he was used to at Mercedes.
One of the most significant challenges has been the steering system, which Hamilton has referred to as “completely different” from what he was used to. The feel, response, and overall handling traits need a lot of adapting, something he is actively engaged in as pre-season testing continues.
Aside from the mechanical, even the most basic operational features have taken some time to get used to. Simple things such as switch positions on the steering wheel, software configurations, and even the nomenclature within the team are all significantly different from what he had become accustomed to at Mercedes. To outsiders, it might look like small things, but these have a very significant bearing on a driver’s capacity to operate at the very best.
Having spent the entirety of the Formula 1 hybrid era with Mercedes, Hamilton now has to familiarize himself with Ferrari’s distinct power unit characteristics. Every engine manufacturer has a unique approach to delivering power, managing energy recovery systems, and optimizing performance, which means Hamilton has to unlearn some of the instincts he developed over the past decade and recalibrate his driving style accordingly.
The difficulties don’t end with the car itself. Ferrari has a different engineering philosophy, race strategy, and development organization than Mercedes. Hamilton has needed to learn new ways, acclimatizing to how Ferrari works on fine-tuning car setups and racing weekends. The team’s way of communicating, making decisions, and long-term objectives all necessitate him to change his work habits, something that takes time even for a driver of his level.
While Hamilton’s raw talent and vast experience provide a strong foundation, even the most accomplished drivers need time to develop synergy with a new team. Understanding how to extract maximum performance from Ferrari’s car in both qualifying and race conditions will be a learning curve that continues throughout the season.
There are challenges, but there is a tangible air of anticipation over Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. Fans want to know how he will get on with the legendary Italian team, and the possibility of a championship fight featuring Hamilton in a red car is a compelling one for the sport.
There is no denying that his switch to Ferrari is a risk, but it’s also a chance for him to solidify his legacy even more. If he can overcome the challenges and provide race-winning drives, it would be one of the greatest accomplishments of his career.
As the season opener approaches, Hamilton is intent on refining his strategy. Each test lap is a chance to adapt his knowledge of the SF-25, and each discussion with Ferrari engineers is another step toward erasing the gap between acquaintance and expertise.
The path forward won’t be simple, but Hamilton has never been one to turn down a challenge. If history is any indication, it’s that he excels in adversity. The 2025 season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent history, and everyone will be watching Hamilton as he starts this new journey with Ferrari.
