Hamilton and Ferrari, show effect on tests: it's already World Cup climate

It has been a winter monopolized by the sensational effect created by Lewis Hamilton's arrival at Ferrari. Perhaps never in the history of F1 has there been so much anticipation before the start of a season. The combination of the seven-time world champion and the most successful Scuderia of all time constitutes an unparalleled suggestion. Therefore, even the tests in Bahrain, which start tomorrow, become a show. All the fans will follow them, from every corner of the planet, with the curiosity to see Hamilton's "official" debut in the red car. Team principal Frederic Vasseur, as a good mentor, made sure that Lewis arrived as prepared as possible for these decisive three days in view of the opening race of the championship in Melbourne (March 16).

Hamilton drove Ferraris in past seasons at Fiorano and Barcelona, ​​then spent several days at the factory in Maranello testing on the simulator and taking notes in his diary, helped by the engineers. They say he slept in a motorhome to show up at the office on time, avoiding having to travel by helicopter from Milan, where he found a home in the Porta Nuova area. A “full immersion”. But now things are getting serious. The Sakhir track, with its technical curves and that long straight where you can test the full power of the power unit, is an ideal test bench to measure the potential of the cars in view of the Australian GP. According to the “rumors” in the industry, Ferrari is starting in pole position this year to fight for the drivers’ and constructors’ world championship. With Hamilton who at 40 can dream of an eighth world title — it would mean overtaking Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher at the top of the records — and the talented Charles Leclerc who is looking for definitive consecration by beating the English champion with the same car. The family challenge between the two Cavallini will be one of the hot topics of the year. The new SF-25 is the result of more extreme research than the Ferraris that preceded it and it immediately seemed very fast. More precise indications will be obtained in Bahrain.

McLaren, coming from the victory of the last constructors' championship, has chosen the same path, radically modifying the MCL39 compared to the 2024 world championship single-seater. In practice it is a completely new car. In Woking the men directed by Andrea Stella realized that it was necessary to push further, to stay at the top. It is to be assumed that McLaren will still be fighting for both titles, with the terrible youngsters Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri called to make the leap in quality in the consistency of performance. On the other hand, the Red Bull of the four-time world champion Verstappen is an unknown. The diaspora of technicians has taken away the genius Adrian Newey and the chief designer Rob Marshall. The certainties of the past are no longer there and the car must regain competitiveness. Therefore, Super Max is the only factor that makes a positive difference. An uphill start is possible for the former "dream team". Finally Mercedes, which was inconsistent last year after negative seasons, presents itself as a big outsider with George Russell promoted to lead driver and the debuting baby Kimi Antonelli ready to amaze, after 15 thousand km of private tests on F.1. It could become the revelation of the year.