Lewis Hamilton’s adventure with Ferrari officially began just under two months ago, but behind the scenes, the adaptation work is moving quickly. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion is becoming more familiar not only with his new team of engineers, who will accompany him on track during the 24 Grands Prix of the 2025 season, but also with everything that revolves around his work in the car.
The British driver has already explained how he spends a lot of time in the factory with technicians to understand how to best exploit the qualities of Ferrari’s Power Unit, as each engine has its own specific characteristics. This adaptation is necessary, especially after spending over ten years at Mercedes, but it does not mean that the Briton has completely left his previous experience behind.
In a Formula 1 car, ergonomics are crucial, and it is no coincidence that many components are made to suit the specific needs and requests of the drivers, particularly in top teams. One of the key elements is the steering wheel, which over the years has evolved into a true mini-computer connected to the control unit to manage not only the Power Unit but also other aspects of the vehicle’s dynamics.
Ferrari has always sought to accommodate drivers’ requests, both in terms of the steering wheel’s shape and software configuration. This process was particularly evident during Sebastian Vettel’s time with the team, as from his arrival in Maranello, he provided input and requested modifications on multiple occasions. Interestingly, the steering wheel that Lewis Hamilton will use this year at Ferrari originates from the design created based on Sebastian Vettel’s input but features changes in button layout and the two paddles used for shifting and clutch control. These modifications aim to provide the best possible feel while maintaining certain past habits.
New shift and clutch paddle lever are the most obvious elements. Looking at Lewis Hamilton’s steering wheel from the rear, differences from that of his teammate, Charles Leclerc, are immediately noticeable. These differences stem mainly from choices developed at Mercedes over the years. It is not unusual for a driver, especially after switching teams, to bring certain features from the steering wheels used in previous teams. It is therefore logical that, after spending over ten years at Mercedes, where he used a nearly identical steering wheel since 2014 when it was completely redesigned into a slimmer and lighter unit based on his input, some of Lewis Hamilton’s requests for his new adventure reflect the habits he developed with the Silver Arrows team.
For example, the gear shift paddle has been completely redesigned and now has a very different shape, with the levers not only thinner but also positioned higher, adopting a design similar to the one he had approved at Mercedes. Additionally, the outer end features a coating made of a different material to improve grip.
In contrast, Charles Leclerc has stuck with the same layout he has been accustomed to since his debut in red in 2019, with larger levers positioned lower, almost entirely behind the spokes of the steering wheel.
Extensive work has also been done on the clutch lever. Since 2019, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion has been used to managing the clutch with a single paddle, and he has carried over the same configuration to the Ferrari steering wheel. However, there are differences compared to the lever used by Charles Leclerc, not only in the casing where the fingers rest but also in the paddle itself.
In Lewis Hamilton’s case, the similarity with the one he had at Mercedes is immediately noticeable. It is logical that, as with other aspects, the Briton has sought to replicate in Ferrari certain elements he is accustomed to and that have always worked well for him. The finger casing is also different from Leclerc’s, clearly custom-made with 3D printing to fit the driver’s specific needs.
Next, let’s also look at the new button layout and modified software. The changes to the clutch paddle and gear shift paddle are the most significant hardware updates, as the front section has remained physically unchanged from the steering wheel that Charles Leclerc also uses.
However, what changes is the arrangement of buttons and rotary switches, which the seven-time Formula 1 world champion has modified to replicate certain automatic actions he had developed with the Mercedes steering wheel. Ferrari’s unit follows a rather different philosophy from Mercedes’, particularly regarding the lower section selectors, which are six in number, whereas Mercedes combined them into three rotary switches with numerous secondary sub-menus.
Focusing on the upper section, Lewis Hamilton has moved the “charge” button for energy recovery to the upper left, accompanied by the navigation button for sub-menus (10-) and the neutral button. Below the charge button is the drag reduction system button, which Lewis Hamilton also had on the front of the steering wheel at Mercedes.
On the right side, symmetrically, there is the “Pit confirm” button, used to confirm the return to the pits, another navigation button for sub-menus (1+), the pit lane speed limiter, and the radio activation button. Additionally, the British driver has preferred to place the K1 button, which activates the Power Unit’s electric boost, at the front.
Another interesting aspect is the positioning of the settings for the differential, engine braking, and brake balance, which replicate those Lewis Hamilton used until last year. The rotary switch for the entry differential is at the top left, while the high-speed differential is at the top right. On the left side, next to the screen, is the “brake migration” control for brake adjustments, while on the opposite side is the brake balance adjustment.
This leads to an interesting observation: Lewis Hamilton has moved the management of the electrical system, also known as SOC, to the lower part of the steering wheel—something no Ferrari driver has done since 2015. The software on the display is also new, featuring a different layout and data presentation compared to Charles Leclerc’s, but this aspect, as well as on the button preferences, we will discuss in a different article.
— see video above —
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