The first day of Pirelli’s tyre test in Barcelona provided an intriguing glimpse into Lewis Hamilton’s adaptation to his new team, Ferrari. Despite being in a completely new environment and driving a car unfamiliar to him, Hamilton posted an impressive lap time, just marginally quicker than his new teammate, Charles Leclerc.

However, is this an early indication that the seven-time world champion already has an advantage over the Monegasque driver? That conclusion may be premature, but there were certainly some key takeaways from the opening day of testing.

Analyzing the Lap Times

Hamilton set the fastest lap of the day at 1:15.93, while Leclerc followed closely behind with a 1:16.060. At first glance, the difference is minimal, but without context, these numbers tell us very little.

Several unknown factors could have influenced the results. What compound tyres were each driver using? Were they on similar fuel loads? How did track conditions, such as asphalt temperature, play a role? Additionally, the timing of these fastest laps is another crucial factor—were they set in the cooler morning session or the warmer afternoon runs? All these elements must be considered before drawing any conclusions about Hamilton’s early form at Ferrari.

Hamilton Quickly at Ease in Ferrari

Despite the uncertainties surrounding the times, what is evident is that Hamilton appears to have adapted remarkably quickly to Ferrari’s SF-24. There were initial concerns about how long it would take him to feel comfortable in a completely different car, but his performance in Barcelona suggests he already has a solid grasp of the machine’s capabilities. This will be encouraging news for Ferrari, which has made a significant investment in bringing in a veteran driver who turns 40 this year.

Furthermore, Hamilton’s recent crash did not seem to have any lingering effects on his confidence. Just a week after the incident, he was back on track, pushing the limits of his new car without hesitation. This mental resilience will be crucial as he embarks on his first season with the Maranello-based squad.

The Montoya Perspective

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya recently stated that if Hamilton has “the right material” and remains “highly motivated,” he is still one of the top contenders on the grid. Motivation appears to be in no short supply for the British driver, who has spoken openly about his excitement for this new challenge.

His ability to match or even surpass Leclerc’s time on the first day is a strong indicator that he is already feeling at home within the team. Given Leclerc’s extensive experience with Ferrari, it is impressive that Hamilton is keeping pace so soon after making the switch.

Maintaining Momentum into the Second Test Day

As the Pirelli test continues, Ferrari, along with McLaren, will complete the second and final day of running. For Hamilton, this presents another opportunity to solidify his positive first impression and continue gathering valuable data ahead of the highly anticipated SF-25 launch.

Maintaining this “good feeling” with the car is essential, especially with pre-season testing in Bahrain fast approaching. The Bahrain sessions, scheduled towards the end of the month, will provide a much clearer picture of Ferrari’s competitiveness and whether Hamilton truly has the machinery to fight for victories in 2024.

Should everything fall into place, Hamilton will undoubtedly be even more satisfied with his decision to join Frederic Vasseur’s “red crew.” Ferrari fans will be eager to see if the British driver can help return the team to its former glory and mount a serious challenge for the championship.

This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sárközi.

Lewis Hamilton has emphasized the importance of Formula 1 maintaining its connection to its roots and traditional fanbases, even as the sport evolves and its global reach expands. He expressed concern that F1 must remain accessible to everyday people, despite its growing appeal to celebrities and the wealthy.

Under Liberty Media’s ownership and with the success of Netflix’s Drive to Survive series, Formula 1 has experienced a surge in popularity and a wave of new fans. This increased interest has driven the championship into new markets, particularly in the United States, where races in Miami and Las Vegas have drawn significant attention from high-profile figures and affluent audiences.

While Formula 1 has been expanding beyond its European origins for over two decades, recent events in non-traditional locations are being marketed as exclusive and glamorous spectacles. Races like those in Miami and Las Vegas have been criticized for being prohibitively expensive and inaccessible to the average fan.

This trend is not entirely new for Formula 1, which has long featured the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix as a highlight of its calendar. However, Hamilton is acutely aware of the growing perception that these newer events are catering primarily to the elite, potentially alienating the sport’s traditional fanbase.

As the championship continues to grow, Hamilton remains steadfast in advocating for a balance that preserves F1’s accessibility and connection to its core audience while embracing its newfound global appeal.

“The more eyeballs on the sport is not a bad thing,” the 40-year-old told media including RacingNews365.

“I would say that races are like some of the European races, for example, where you’ve got people that are coming, it’s less celebrity [centric].

“There’s still a lot of celebs that do turn up to the grid, but I think we always need to make sure that it’s accessible and it’s not so far out of reach for people that also work very hard for their money but maybe can’t afford it to get to a race weekend.”

Hamilton also addressed diversity and inclusion within F1, underlining the need to continue to more greatly open F1 up to people – and particularly – children from all backgrounds.

The Ferrari driver has been a vocal advocate for social justice and change, both inside and outside of the F1 paddock.

Having established programmes like The Hamilton Commission in partnership with the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering and Mission 44, the seven-time F1 drivers’ champion is well positioned to lend his voice.

“I think it’s great that this sport is starting to now work on D&I [diversity and inclusion], making sure that giving access to young kids, showing young kids that it doesn’t matter where you’re from, belong here,” he said.

The Angela Cullen effect: Insights unveil the real influence on Lewis Hamilton’s performance

With Angela Cullen rejoining Lewis Hamilton’s inner circle, a sports psychologist has shed light on how her return could provide significant psychological benefits for the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion.

Cullen, who previously stepped away from Formula 1 two years ago, is now back by Hamilton’s side. After spending seven years as his trainer and physiotherapist, Cullen left her role in 2023, seeking to move on from the demands of the sport.

As an employee of Hintsa Performance, Cullen initially began working with Hamilton in 2016 following the passing of Aki Hintsa, a renowned figure in sports performance.

The duo quickly formed a strong bond, with Cullen becoming a constant and reassuring presence during Hamilton’s championship-winning campaigns in the late 2010s and beyond.

Reflecting on their split, Hamilton explained that the intensity of the Formula 1 environment had become overwhelming for Cullen, who is now 50 years old.

Her decision to step away was driven by the need to prioritize her well-being, but her return signals a renewed commitment to supporting Hamilton as he continues his pursuit of success in the sport.

“It’s an incredibly challenging role, I think for anyone in those positions,” Hamilton said.

“It is a lot of travelling and a lot of time away from your family and you grow incredibly close together. If you’re at dinner, during your weekends, and while you’re travelling, it’s usually you, your trainer or physio, your family or whatever it may be, it’s incredibly intimate in that sense, and you become great friends. Angela is living her life right now.

“She’s got so many great ideas of things she wants to do. We talk and message pretty much every day. We’re still going to go skydiving together and we’re always going to be in each other’s lives. We’re stuck with each other, unfortunately, or fortunately!

While neither Lewis Hamilton nor Angela Cullen has officially confirmed their professional reunion, Cullen was spotted in the Ferrari garage at Fiorano during Hamilton’s initial laps around the Scuderia’s test track last week. Reports suggest that Cullen has taken on a role as a physiotherapist within Hamilton’s Mission 44 initiative.

Lewis Hamilton is set to continue adapting to his new role with the Ferrari Formula 1 team during a testing session at Barcelona over the next 10 days. Ferrari has scheduled five days of testing, starting with a three-day session from January 28 to 30.

This session will involve the SF-23, the team’s 2023 car, in line with the FIA’s updated sporting regulations. These regulations allow a maximum of 1000 km of testing per team and year, spread across four days, and shared between both race drivers.

Hamilton and his teammate, Charles Leclerc, previously completed a combined 131 km during a shakedown at Fiorano on January 22. However, fog and rain limited their running time. The upcoming Barcelona session will allow for more substantial testing, with a maximum of 186 laps (866 km) permitted over three days.

The current weather forecast, provided by Meteo-France, predicts mixed conditions in Barcelona. Little sunshine is expected, with potential showers on Thursday afternoon. Temperatures are anticipated to range between 3°C (37°F) and 13°C (55°F), slightly above the January average for the region.

In addition to the SF-23 testing, Ferrari plans to run a modified SF-24. This car has been adjusted to align with the forthcoming 2026 technical regulations, featuring narrower tires and reduced downforce. This testing will allow both Hamilton and Leclerc to familiarize themselves further with the evolving machinery.

While Ferrari conducts its tests, McLaren is set to hold a Pirelli prototype tire test at Circuit Paul Ricard on January 29 and 30, before joining Ferrari for the Barcelona sessions. Rain is also forecast for the McLaren test on Thursday.