Scuderia Ferrari Drivers Leclerc, Hamilton Run First Laps in 2025 Challenger
It’s official. Scuderia Ferrari HP drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have finished their first public test session in the SF-25, Ferrari’s chassis for the 2025 season. The outing comes after Hamilton and Leclerc set lap times in 2023’s SF-23 at Ferrari’s private test track in Maranello. Both drivers also participated in Pirelli tyre testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the site of the Spanish Grand Prix, where they drove last year’s Constructors’ Championship runner-up, the SF-24.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari came after months of speculation from fans and experts, who claimed the Briton was dissatisfied with his former team, Mercedes. It was also rumored that Hamilton requested to be named a Mercedes brand ambassador as part of his contract negotiation, but Team Principal Toto Wolff declined. The seven-time world champion has since denied these claims, but it is worth noting given Hamilton’s revitalized demeanor and optimism for the 2025 season. After the first test in the SF-25, Hamilton told RacingNews365 that driving the car was, “...the most exciting thing that's happened to me for as long as I can remember.”
After narrowly missing out on the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, Ferrari has decided to make major changes to their chassis for the upcoming season. Most notably, the suspension type at the front end of the car has been changed from a push-rod to a pull-rod. Essentially, the adoption of pull-rod suspension benefits the car by lowering its center of gravity due to heavier parts being closer to the ground. This lower center of gravity reduces drag, therefore making the car more aerodynamic and faster around high-speed corners. The side pods are also much slimmer, allowing for more free-flowing air towards the rear.
Ferrari Chassis Technical Director Loic Serra has shared with several media outlets his positive mindset going into the 2025 season. The Frenchman called the chassis “99% new” in comparison to the SF-24, emphasizing cleaner aerodynamics and finding ways to capitalize on the limited innovation allowed on the car’s power unit due to F1-wide regulations. In an article posted by Scuderia Ferrari, Team Principal Fred Vasseur said, “Months of hard work have gone into this SF-25…we are excited to see the fruit of our labours take shape.” It seems like everyone in Maranello has high hopes for the season ahead.
In a statement by Sky Sports, Leclerc shared his thoughts on the first run of his seventh car with Scuderia Ferrari. Putting it plainly, he said the car “felt good”, adding that “there was nothing outstandingly negative” after the day’s shakedown. The Monegasque driver opened up about comparisons between him and Hamilton and said they have a “very similar driving style”, but it is too early for both fans and the team to examine similarities too closely. Preseason testing begins February 26th at Bahrain International Circuit, the site of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
