Hamilton set for another Ferrari run: Advantage over Verstappen?

Lewis Hamilton isn’t wasting any time at Ferrari. The seven-time world champion has already completed multiple test days in his new surroundings, while his rival, Max Verstappen, has yet to turn a wheel in a Red Bull car this year—at least not publicly. Could Hamilton’s extra track time give him an early-season advantage, or is this all just smoke and mirrors?

Hamilton’s Intensive Ferrari Initiation

Since his grand Ferrari unveiling, Hamilton has been relentless in getting up to speed. His track schedule has included:

• Fiorano Shakedown: A brief run immediately after his presentation.
• Barcelona Testing: A two-day session in older Ferrari F1 cars, though he suffered a crash on Wednesday morning.
• Upcoming Pirelli Test: Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will test prototype 2026 tyres at Montmeló.

For Hamilton, these sessions are not about raw speed but rather about understanding Ferrari’s operations, personnel, and car dynamics.

Verstappen: The Silent Approach

Meanwhile, Verstappen has yet to make his 2025 debut on track. However, Red Bull’s reigning champion isn’t exactly losing sleep over it. He already knows his team inside out, and his first proper outing in the 2025 car will come just before the pre-season test in Bahrain.

Red Bull and Ferrari both have shakedowns planned before the Bahrain test, but they will be limited to just 200 kilometres each—hardly enough to make a real difference.

Does Hamilton Have an Early-Season Edge?

Hamilton’s extra mileage will help him settle into Ferrari’s workflow, but it won’t give him a performance boost just yet. The cars he’s been driving are older models that don’t match the specifications of the 2025 challenger.

However, there is one undeniable advantage: familiarity with the team. While Verstappen and Red Bull continue with business as usual, Hamilton is still adapting to Ferrari’s systems. Every lap he completes accelerates that learning curve.

Final Verdict: Testing vs. Stability

Hamilton’s busy pre-season might look like an edge over Verstappen, but in reality, it’s more about catching up rather than gaining a true advantage. Verstappen already has everything dialed in at Red Bull, while Hamilton is still integrating into a new environment.

Will this extra track time pay off? Only time will tell. But if Ferrari delivers a competitive car, Hamilton’s rapid adaptation could make him an even bigger threat than expected.