Ferrari will begin mass operations in Hamilton in the coming weeks

Lewis Hamilton ready to make your ferrari The on-track debut is in just two weeks’ time, as the Scuderia adjusts to new, more restrictive FIA ​​rules around private testing with older machinery, Autosport understands.

Until last season, there was no limit on how long cars were allowed to run with cars two to four years old, but the rules were revised after 2025. max verstappen Red Bull’s 2022 challenger was tested at Imola last June as the team worked hard to fix its RB20’s issues with kerb-riding.

The Formula 1 sporting regulations issued by the FIA ​​last December state: “Each competitor must complete a maximum of one thousand (1000) kilometers of TPC (testing past cars) in each calendar year using drivers entered in the championship. “Could, or intend to.” enter the Championships, such distance will be credited within the maximum period of four (4) days allowed under Article 10.2f.

As a result, Ferrari will use its four days and 1000km of testing this month to help Hamilton adjust to his new team ahead of the 2025 campaign, with the first race at the Italian team’s home Fiorano track on the 20th or 21st. Will happen. January depends on the weather.

The Scuderia will move to Barcelona later this month, with the Catalan circuit booked for at least four days. This will give the team some leeway if work is interrupted by rain, as it will be able to run in the most favorable three days – bringing the total to the allowed four days of testing.

Another decision yet to be made is whether Hamilton will drive Ferrari’s SF-23 or its predecessor, the F1-75, from 2022.

Team principal Frédéric Vasseur had previously said he was “not at all concerned” about Hamilton’s adaptation to the Maranello-based outfit, pointing out that the record holder for world titles, Grand Prix wins, pole positions and podiums was not a rookie. Not there.

“We know that during these few days we will have to assimilate many processes, but he is experienced enough to do so,” said the Frenchman.

“We have the advantage of having a simulator and will be able to do race simulations and qualifying simulations in the simulator, and be fully prepared with the steering wheel and all the specifications of the car. But I am not worried about it and it is not the biggest challenge.

Meanwhile, Hamilton made his state of mind clear in a LinkedIn post last week.

“Moving on to Scuderia Ferrari, there is much to reflect on,” the seven-time world champion wrote. Just as we face new challenges, remember that reinvention is powerful.”

Ferrari will unveil its new F1 car on February 19 – a day after the official F1 launch in London, and a week before official pre-season testing begins in Bahrain on February 26.