Hamilton and Leclerc Take on Fiorano: Ferrari’s SF-25 Debut Runs Reveal Early Pace Difference
After wrapping up their official F1 75 commitments in London, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc wasted no time jetting back to Italy for their highly anticipated first laps in Ferrari’s 2025 challenger, the SF-25. The duo took to Fiorano, Ferrari’s private test circuit, on Wednesday, with thousands of passionate Tifosi in attendance to witness Hamilton’s debut in the Scuderia’s latest machine.
For the seven-time world champion, the run marked another crucial step in his transition from Mercedes to Ferrari after 12 seasons with the Silver Arrows. Despite his wealth of experience, Hamilton faces a steep learning curve as he adapts to his first Ferrari-powered Formula 1 car, working quickly to get comfortable ahead of the upcoming season.
Leclerc Sets the Benchmark as Hamilton Trails by 0.8 Seconds in Fiorano Run
While the test was not about outright pace, early lap times have already sparked intrigue. According to reports from Marca, Hamilton’s best lap in the SF-25 was 0.8 seconds slower than Leclerc’s fastest effort, with the Monegasque getting the first crack at the circuit. Leclerc clocked a 56.06-second lap—just 0.061 seconds shy of Michael Schumacher’s long-standing Fiorano track record from 2004, set in the legendary F2004.
Hamilton, who finished seventh in the championship last season, is eager to turn the page with Ferrari and chase his elusive eighth title. However, with Charles Leclerc securing third place in the 2024 standings—81 points behind Max Verstappen—the 27-year-old will present a formidable challenge as Hamilton’s new teammate.
Encouraging Signs for Leclerc, But Ferrari Stays Cautious
Leclerc will undoubtedly take pride in having an early edge over Hamilton, but Ferrari remains aware that these lap times are not fully representative of actual performance. Track conditions, fuel loads, and run plans all play a role in such outings, making direct comparisons difficult.
A similar scenario played out last month when Leclerc ran six seconds slower than Hamilton in Ferrari’s 2023 car during wet Fiorano conditions. Additionally, their recent test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya—where Ferrari modified last year’s car for a 2026-spec Pirelli tyre test—saw Hamilton edge out Leclerc by just 0.13 seconds.
With pre-season testing in Bahrain just around the corner, all eyes will be on how both drivers continue to adapt to Ferrari’s new machine. While Leclerc may have laid down an early marker, the real battle is only just beginning.
