How is Lewis Hamilton getting on with his first Ferrari? Which teams look like they’re ahead after testing? What could be the surprises of 2025?
There have been plenty of intriguing questions heading into the new Formula 1 season with the countdown firmly on to next week’s Australian Grand Prix and so asked you for ours on the Sky Sports app and website during our live Bahrain testing blog as the new 2025 cars and line-ups took their first full forays on track.
After answering the first round of questions last week, we’re dipping into the mailbag for a second time with pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz this time taking on the mantle to tackle some of the best of the rest with a week to go until opening practice in Melbourne live on Sky Sports F1…
Bethany352 asked: Is Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari going to be better for him than recent Mercedes’? How positive are the first signs from testing?
Ted replies: There are some very positive signs that Hamilton is enjoying the way the Ferrari drives more than the Mercedes.
I think he has got what he wanted in terms of driver positioning within the cockpit. There are no complaints on any side. Crucially, he has identified that the designers and the team behind him are up to championship quality and he recognises that he has everything he needs in the team to develop the car and out-develop his rivals to try and win this year’s championship.
So even if the Ferrari isn’t winning races at the start of the season, Lewis Hamilton is sure that they will be able to win races and catch up with whoever the pacesetter is.
Sanath Kamte asked: What do you think is the pecking order tentatively?
Ted replies: I’m going for McLaren being ahead, then Ferrari/Mercedes or Mercedes/Ferrari – and if you want to push me for a specific order, I’ll say Mercedes and then Ferrari – followed by Red Bull.
Alpine in fifth, Williams in sixth, Haas in seventh – which is optimistic, but they say that they are in decent shape – and Racing Bulls eighth. Then Aston Martin in ninth and Sauber 10th.
Garda asked: How do McLaren feel at this stage compared to last year when they struggled more?
Ted replies: McLaren had a great test in Bahrain and they feel much better at this stage compared to last year.
Yes, there were some set-up issues especially around rear grip, but that’s Bahrain for you, and they think they can dial that out.
But watch out for Mercedes, I think they are going to be close behind.
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Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz and Bernie Collins take an in-depth look at the cars after the final day of Formula One testing
Bethany352 asked: Is Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari going to be better for him than recent Mercedes’? How positive are the first signs from testing?
Ted replies: There are some very positive signs that Hamilton is enjoying the way the Ferrari drives more than the Mercedes.
I think he has got what he wanted in terms of driver positioning within the cockpit. There are no complaints on any side. Crucially, he has identified that the designers and the team behind him are up to championship quality and he recognises that he has everything he needs in the team to develop the car and out-develop his rivals to try and win this year’s championship.
So even if the Ferrari isn’t winning races at the start of the season, Lewis Hamilton is sure that they will be able to win races and catch up with whoever the pacesetter is.
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Lewis Hamilton says his first race with Ferrari in Melbourne will be ‘very reminiscent’ of his first Grand Prix there
Sanath Kamte asked: What do you think is the pecking order tentatively?
Ted replies: I’m going for McLaren being ahead, then Ferrari/Mercedes or Mercedes/Ferrari – and if you want to push me for a specific order, I’ll say Mercedes and then Ferrari – followed by Red Bull.
Alpine in fifth, Williams in sixth, Haas in seventh – which is optimistic, but they say that they are in decent shape – and Racing Bulls eighth. Then Aston Martin in ninth and Sauber 10th.
Garda asked: How do McLaren feel at this stage compared to last year when they struggled more?
Ted replies: McLaren had a great test in Bahrain and they feel much better at this stage compared to last year.
Yes, there were some set-up issues especially around rear grip, but that’s Bahrain for you, and they think they can dial that out.
But watch out for Mercedes, I think they are going to be close behind.
