Lewis Hamilton Uncovers 'Years-Long' Ferrari Insights in Singapore Practice

Lewis Hamilton has finally uncovered answers about Ferrari that he's been seeking for "years," after his first practice session with the Scuderia at the Singapore Grand Prix. The Mercedes legend, now donning red, reflected on a positive initial outing at Marina Bay, a circuit where Ferrari historically held an edge over his former team.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's historical dominance in Singapore, particularly in qualifying, has long been a point of intrigue for Hamilton. Understanding the fundamental characteristics that gave Ferrari an advantage on this specific street circuit is crucial for Hamilton as he integrates into his new team. His insights could provide valuable direction for Ferrari's future car development and strategy at similar high-downforce, low-speed tracks.

The details:

• Historical Context: Marina Bay has often seen Ferrari outperform Mercedes in qualifying, with Sebastian Vettel, Charles Leclerc, and Carlos Sainz securing all but two poles between 2015 and 2023. This trend made it a unique track for Hamilton during his Mercedes tenure.
• Hamilton's First Impressions: On his first visit to Singapore as a Ferrari driver, Hamilton expressed satisfaction, noting he had always wondered about the differences in the Ferrari package at this circuit.
  • "It is the first time I'm driving a Ferrari at this track, and I've always wondered all these years from looking at on-boards, what the differences would be," Hamilton explained.
  • He described the experience as "positive," indicating an immediate feel for the car's characteristics.
• FP2 Performance: Despite finishing 10th in FP2, Hamilton's performance was not fully representative due to an aborted soft tire lap and the session ending before he could complete a second. However, his initial sector times were reportedly on par with Oscar Piastri, who topped the session.
• Progress and Outlook: Hamilton indicated significant learning and progress from FP1 to FP2, suggesting a strong foundation for the weekend.
  • "I feel there are a lot of positives, a lot of learnings, and I'm quite happy with the progress we've made from FP1," he stated.
  • The team plans minimal changes overnight, focusing instead on refining the setup to close the gap to McLaren, who showed strong pace.

What's next:

Hamilton's initial feedback from Singapore will be critical for Ferrari as they continue to optimize their car for upcoming races. His 'years-long' curiosity about Ferrari's strengths at Marina Bay now transforms into firsthand data and experience, which could prove invaluable in fine-tuning the SF-24 and informing the development of future cars.