As the official pre-season tests in Bahrain (February 26-28) approach, Ferrari completed its filming day at Fiorano, providing some intriguing data. According to Spanish outlet Marca, Charles Leclerc lapped eight-tenths faster than Lewis Hamilton, clocking in at 56.06 seconds. This makes it the second-fastest lap ever recorded at Ferrari’s private track, behind only Michael Schumacher’s legendary F2004.
Despite the promising figures, Leclerc himself remains cautious: “I prefer not to make any predictions,” he told Sky Sport F1 at the end of the session. The numbers from Fiorano should not be taken as a definitive benchmark. These tests are conducted on special Pirelli tires designed for such events, and Leclerc has the advantage of extensive track knowledge, having driven at Fiorano for nearly a decade as part of Ferrari’s Driver Academy. Hamilton, on the other hand, is still adjusting: the British driver previously tested at Fiorano on January 22 with the 2023 car, but his familiarity with the circuit remains limited.
However, Lewis’ adaptation to his new environment is progressing rapidly, both on and off the track. The former Mercedes star is already learning Italian, a clear sign of his commitment to integrating into Ferrari’s world. But his main focus is elsewhere—winning his first title with the Scuderia and restoring Ferrari to the top of Formula 1. Retirement is not on his mind: “If I win the championship, I won’t stop,” he reiterated.
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The Fiorano times are just an early glimpse, with the real test coming in Bahrain, where the track will provide the first true measure of Ferrari’s potential. Then, on March 16, the championship kicks off in Australia. If Hamilton wins on his Ferrari debut, he would immediately cement his place among the greats of Maranello, following in the footsteps of legends like Juan Manuel Fangio and Fernando Alonso, who made their mark from the very first season in red.
