Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari has already delivered its first headline-grabbing drama—falling behind teammate Charles Leclerc during the initial testing of Ferrari’s SF25. At the Fiorano shakedown, Hamilton was reportedly 0.8 seconds slower than Leclerc, raising questions about whether the British champion is struggling to adapt to his new team or if Leclerc is simply extracting the car’s full potential.
The gap between the two drivers became even more noticeable after a recent tire test in Barcelona, where Hamilton trailed Leclerc by nearly two seconds. While these early tests don’t paint the full picture, they highlight just how steep Hamilton’s learning curve could be as he steps into unfamiliar territory.
During Ferrari’s private shakedown session, both drivers took turns behind the wheel of the new SF25. Leclerc completed 30 laps in the morning before Hamilton took over in the afternoon. Though Ferrari didn’t release official times due to the nature of the event being classified as a filming day, reports suggest Hamilton was noticeably off Leclerc’s pace.
However, these numbers may not tell the whole story. Both drivers were using special Pirelli tires designed for testing purposes—different from those they’ll use in the 2025 season. In fact, earlier testing with a modified 2024 car initially saw Hamilton edging out Leclerc by 0.130 seconds, but that advantage quickly disappeared as Leclerc found his rhythm.
For Leclerc, entering his seventh full season with Ferrari brings a renewed hunger to finally claim a world championship. With a second-place finish in 2022 and a third in 2024, the Monégasque driver is more focused than ever. His dream remains clear: to bring Ferrari its first world title since 2007.
“I’m just focusing on being the best version of myself whenever I get on the track,” Leclerc said. His preparation has been thorough—physically, mentally, and through countless hours in the simulator. Every race in 2025 will be another step toward his ultimate goal.
Meanwhile, Hamilton is still adjusting to life in red. At 40, the seven-time world champion admits the adaptation hasn’t been as smooth as he hoped. “I’m not at the level I want to be yet, and I know it,” Hamilton said after his first run in the SF25. “Everything is different. I have to work on it a lot.”
Despite the early challenges, Hamilton remains optimistic. He’s embraced Ferrari’s culture, feeling a sense of pride each time he dons the iconic red suit. “Each day, I’m reminded that it’s really happening. I just want to work as hard as I can with the great people here to elevate this brand to where it deserves to be.”
But time isn’t on Hamilton’s side. Team principal Fred Vasseur has made it clear that both drivers will have the freedom to compete equally in the opening races. A slow start could quickly shift the team’s focus toward Leclerc as the primary contender for the championship.
As the 2025 season approaches, the competition is fiercer than ever. Max Verstappen will aim for a fifth consecutive title, with McLaren’s Lando Norris also emerging as a strong threat. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s hopes of breaking their nearly two-decade drought rest on both Leclerc’s determination and Hamilton’s ability to adapt—and fast.
For Hamilton, this isn’t just another season. It’s a chance to rewrite history by becoming the first driver to win an eighth championship with Ferrari. But first, he has to catch up to Leclerc—and the clock is already ticking.
