F1: Ferrari SF-25 Gets Its First Run at Fiorano with Lewis Hamilton at the Helm
Under F1’s promotional running regulations, Ferrari completed 200km of testing, preparing for pre-season sessions in Bahrain from February 26-28.
By Reetika Bhatt
Ferrari’s highly anticipated SF-25 Formula 1 car has officially hit the track for the first time at the Fiorano circuit, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc taking turns behind the wheel. This initial run marks a crucial step in the team’s 2025 campaign, offering valuable insights into the car’s performance before pre-season testing. The SF-25 represents Ferrari’s latest effort to challenge for the championship, featuring refined aerodynamics and mechanical upgrades aimed at improving race pace and consistency. For Hamilton, this marks his first on-track experience with Ferrari since his high-profile switch from Mercedes. The Fiorano shakedown allows Ferrari to fine-tune key aspects of the car while building momentum ahead of the upcoming F1 season, where expectations are sky-high.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc Take the SF-25 for Its First Spin
Ferrari has given its 2025 F1 challenger, the SF-25, its first track outing in Italy, as it gears up for Lewis Hamilton’s inaugural season with the team. Soon after showcasing its updated livery at F1’s 75th-anniversary event at London’s O2 Arena, the team made its way back to the Fiorano test track on February 19 for the SF-25’s debut run.
Charles Leclerc was the first to take the SF-25 onto the track, while Hamilton observed from the sidelines before taking over in the afternoon. Later, the seven-time world champion spoke to the media in his first official Ferrari engagement. Under F1’s promotional running regulations, Ferrari completed 200km of testing, preparing for pre-season sessions at Bahrain International Circuit from February 26 to 28.
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With his first laps in the SF-25 now behind him, Lewis Hamilton has officially embarked on his Ferrari journey, heightening anticipation among fans eager to see how this new partnership will unfold in the 2025 F1 season.
The build-up to the championship kicked off with the FIA’s grand 75th-anniversary celebration, where all 10 teams and 20 drivers gathered to introduce their 2025 liveries. The season is set to begin with the Australian Grand Prix from March 14-16.
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Ferrari’s SF-25 showcases a bold livery revamp, featuring a distinctive white engine cover, reflecting HP’s expanded sponsorship presence. The team describes the redesign as a symbol of energy and forward-thinking ambition. Team Principal Fred Vasseur has stated that the SF-25 is almost entirely reengineered, with 99% of its components newly developed. A major change is the switch from a pushrod to a pull-rod front suspension, designed to enhance aerodynamic performance and unlock new development possibilities.
