The Ferrari SF-25 debuts at Fiorano as the Italian marque shakes down their 2025 challenger ahead of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain next week. Charles Leclerc goes first this morning. Lewis Hamilton runs later.
Ferrari up and running
In the wake of Formula 1’s inaugural season launch event in London’s O2 yesterday, Ferrari have unleashed their SF-25. Keeping with tradition, the red team carried out their shakedown this morning at their home Fiorano Circuit. The circuit, which was opened in 1972, has served as the team’s test track for 52 years.
Following on from Haas, Williams and McLaren who have already held shakedowns, Charles Leclerc had the honour of the SF-25’s first drive. Entering his seventh season with Ferrari, Leclerc took to the track in cold but dry conditions, much to the delight of the onlooking Tifosi.
Seven time World Champion Lewis Hamilton is due to take the wheel of the team’s 2025 challenger this afternoon. This will be Hamilton’s second session at the Fiorano Circuit, following a 30 lap stint in the SF-23 last month, in keeping with testing regulations.
The shakedown will offer invaluable experience for Hamilton ahead of his first season with the Italian team.
Looking ahead to next week’s 3-day pre-season test in Bahrain, Ferrari will be hoping today’s shakedown will alleviate any potential gremlins. With track time highly limited in comparison to previous years any potential issues could be extremely costly.
For Lewis Hamilton, who has yet to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car in anger, every moment behind the wheel will be critical.
Following on from a successful 2024 campaign with the SF-24, the team will be hoping to improve on their fortunes with its successor. A finishing position of P2 in the constructors championship, just 14 points behind champions McLaren was a marked improvement on recent years. The team will be aiming to build on that success with the SF-25.
