Lewis Hamilton faces harsh reality as Ferrari unable to….read more
Lewis Hamilton will not be able to participate in the post-season tyre test with Ferrari after the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix due to his ongoing contract with Mercedes, according to a BBC Sport report. Every year, following the final race of the season, teams remain in Abu Dhabi to carry out post-season mileage with test drivers and current racers, and Ferrari fans speculated Hamilton could use the opportunity to familiarize himself with the team’s car. However, it has now been confirmed that Hamilton will not be allowed to get behind the wheel of Ferrari’s SF-24 at this event.
Despite hopes that Hamilton might gain early experience with Ferrari, contractual obligations with Mercedes mean he will be occupied with media commitments as he ends his career with the team that brought him six of his seven World Championships. This leaves Hamilton without the advantage of additional track time ahead of his switch to Ferrari, where he will race in 2025.
Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari, however, is highly anticipated, with expectations that the Briton will bring significant experience and skills to the Scuderia. Though he will face a steep learning curve in adapting to a new team and car, Hamilton’s vast experience and consistency make him a formidable asset.
Ferrari’s current lead driver, Charles Leclerc, has expressed his enthusiasm about partnering with the legendary British driver. Leclerc, who has driven alongside some of the fastest talents in Formula 1, welcomes the opportunity to learn from Hamilton. In an interview with The Race, the Monegasque driver noted the advantages of having top-tier teammates, saying, “I have always thought it is so much better to have the best as your team-mate.” He further acknowledged Hamilton’s exceptional consistency and minimal weaknesses, stating, “He has very little weaknesses – well, actually, I don’t know any weaknesses of Lewis.”
Leclerc is keen to observe how Hamilton has achieved his sustained success and views the partnership as a learning opportunity while also pushing himself to perform at the highest level alongside a seven-time World Champion. The dynamic between Leclerc and Hamilton in 2025 will undoubtedly be one of the major talking points in Formula 1, with Ferrari aiming to capitalize on the combined strength of two elite drivers.
