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From 1/1/2025 Lewis Hamilton became a Ferrari driver.
The Ferrari media team released a very clever post.
Note the time it was posted. 16.44. 16 is Charles Leclerc's race number and 44 is Lewis Hamiltons number. (they are now team mates). Interesting to note that Mercedes have lost just under a million followers and Ferrari have gained over a million.
With all his farewell commitments to Mercedes, Lewis has not tested in last years Ferrari. (All new drivers did a test run in Abu Dhabi.) It's understood, he will be testing in Marinello, Italy, later this month.
A lot to learn. New car, new steering wheel, new team, new race engineer and new language.
Personally, I'm not expecting him to do that well initially. Only time will tell.
* F1 live at the O2 Arena London. February
* Pre- Season Testing in Bahrain 26th-28th February.
* 1st Race - Australia Friday March 14th-Sunday 16th March.
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Re Tyres
All depends on the track, strategy (How many pit stops) starting position on the grid and weather.
Every team has to use Pirelli tyres now. Most cars start on mediums, unless you are towards the back of the grid when you will start on hards (so you can go longer before first pit stop) Occasionally some cars start on softs (faster but don't last as long, so would be track and weather dependent.)
Fuel.
F1 cars nowadays don't refill with fuel during the race as they are V6 hybrid.
They can use a maximum of 110 kilograms of fuel per race (305km / 190 miles), however they don't always fill the car with that much fuel. This is because the more fuel a car starts with the heavier it is, and the more lap time it costs.
This is why strategy depends on the track (how many laps) and weather.
Any race can be turned on it's head if there's a crash and a safety car is called.
This explanation is very simplistic and just touches the surface really.
If it's raining you would use intermediate or full wets.
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Just to add, every car needs to be able to produce a litre of fuel at race end for testing by the FIA.
The car is also weighed.
In 2024, George Russell lost his win at Spa as his car was underweight.
Two reasons:
1) Track had been resurfaced so there was no 'marbles of tyre wear to pick up' at race end. (adds weight to car)
2) He opted for a one stop strategy and his fuel was less than required.
So he was disqualified and Hamilton who was second was the official winner.
