The chequered flag waved final Tuesday night, marking the tip of the post-season testing day on the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island and signaling the official begin of the countdown to the 2025 System 1 season. Though main adjustments to the game’s rules received’t come till 2026, there’s nonetheless loads to stay up for because the F1 paddock prepares for pre-season testing in Bahrain on February 26, 2024.
Probably the most intriguing storylines for the 2025 season revolves across the important driver adjustments set to happen throughout a number of groups. In reality, greater than half of the grid will function not less than one new driver, with one producer particularly grabbing the highlight for his or her strikes. Ferrari, in a daring and strategic transfer, has managed to recruit essentially the most profitable driver in F1 historical past, Lewis Hamilton, who shall be racing for less than his third crew in what shall be his 18th season within the sport.
The British driver, recognized for his intense rivalries with a few of F1’s biggest drivers, has had his fair proportion of challenges with teammates through the years. From his infamous conflict with Fernando Alonso throughout his debut season with McLaren in 2007 to his fierce battle with Nico Rosberg, Hamilton has skilled a variety of dynamics inside his groups. His partnership with Jenson Button at McLaren was one other defining second in his profession, adopted by his dominant years with Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton has additionally performed a vital position in mentoring George Russell, who will take over as Mercedes’ crew chief beginning subsequent 12 months.
Nonetheless, Lewis Hamilton’s new teammate at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, will current a really totally different problem. Charles Leclerc, one of the proficient and profitable homegrown drivers in trendy F1, has already made a major mark inside Ferrari, and his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton guarantees to be one of the thrilling narratives within the sport. The Monegasque driver himself has acknowledged the distinct distinction between Hamilton and his former teammate Carlos Sainz, with the 2 sharing a bond of mutual respect, as seen of their interplay after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
A report from the Italian day by day newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport has make clear how Ferrari ended their season on a excessive be aware regardless of not securing the Constructors’ Championship. It was necessary for the crew to offer Sainz a becoming farewell after his 4 years of devoted service. The Spaniard was deeply moved by a heartfelt farewell video, and a few of the Ferrari workers serenaded him with the track “Sara Perche Ti Amo,” a tribute to AC Milan that interprets to “It have to be as a result of I really like you.” Charles Leclerc, in a touching gesture, devoted his race helmet to Sainz and expressed his eagerness to race alongside him sooner or later.
In the meantime, after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was seen within the paddock sharing an emotional embrace with Leclerc. In line with the Italian media, it was a second full of melancholy, as Ferrari had fallen quick of their bid to catch McLaren within the Constructors’ standings. Leclerc’s spectacular third-place end, regardless of a grid penalty, underscored his resilience all through the weekend.
The looks of the seven-time System 1 world champion on the Ferrari storage was additionally famous by the Italian media, with some followers questioning his wardrobe selections. Whereas most drivers stick with team-branded apparel when getting into the paddock, Lewis Hamilton is understood for his distinctive model and barely wears Mercedes merchandise except required. For the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he transitioned from an all-white outfit after Friday’s apply classes to donning Ferrari crimson on Sunday, sparking hypothesis about his upcoming transfer. After the race, Lewis Hamilton was noticed getting into the Ferrari storage, although it’s unclear what he was doing there or how lengthy he spent along with his future crew. It’s doubtless that he’s already starting the method of integrating himself into Ferrari’s operations forward of one of the important adjustments he’ll expertise in his F1 profession.
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