Two days after tomorrow’s F1 season concludes in Abu Dhabi, a number of drivers changing teams for 2025 will get a head start in the post-race test.Williams had already confirmed Carlos Sainz will test for them around Yas Marina, and others making swaps are expected to do the same. It may only be a day in a car that’ll never be raced again, but it’s still a chance to get to know a new team’s people and how they work.So why won’t Lewis Hamilton be doing the same with Ferrari?It’s the biggest move in F1 history as the sport’s most successful driver links up with the sport’s most successful team. But Hamilton won’t don the famed red overalls until early next year.In Qatar, Hamilton said that while Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was eager for it to happen, he always felt in “two minds” about doing the test:💬 “Driving the red car for the first time in Abu Dhabi does not excite me. In a perfect world, you’d get to drive it and not be seen and do the first rollout next year.”Besides the lack of romanticism involved with the post-season test, there was also the contractual element: Hamilton remains a Mercedes man until the end of the year, and the team has a farewell tour planned for him with a number of its partners. Hamilton added:💬 “When I did raise it, obviously with Toto (Wolff), they had all these plans that I’ve got to go and see some of the sponsors and say some farewells. “So I don’t think it was ever going to actually be allowed, even if I’d asked to have done it, because I’m contracted to the team until December 31, and that’s totally fine.“But it doesn’t bother me, because I wasn’t going to do the test. I told Fred that’s not what I wanted to do.”

A rocky conclusion to Hamilton's tenure with Mercedes

Two days following the conclusion of the F1 season in Abu Dhabi, several drivers who are switching teams for 2025 will begin their preparations during the post-race test. Williams has already announced that Carlos Sainz will be testing for them at Yas Marina, and other drivers making moves are anticipated to do likewise. Although it […]

Two days following the conclusion of the F1 season in Abu Dhabi, several drivers who are switching teams for 2025 will begin their preparations during the post-race test.

Williams has already announced that Carlos Sainz will be testing for them at Yas Marina, and other drivers making moves are anticipated to do likewise. Although it may just be a day behind the wheel of a car that won’t compete again, it still provides an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the new team’s personnel and operations.

So why is Lewis Hamilton not participating in the same test with Ferrari?

This represents the most significant transition in F1 history, as the sport’s top driver collaborates with the sport’s most successful team. However, Hamilton won’t wear the iconic red race suit until early next year.

In Qatar, Hamilton mentioned that while Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was enthusiastic about the opportunity, he always felt conflicted about participating in the test:

💬 “Driving the red car for the first time in Abu Dhabi doesn’t thrill me. Ideally, you would drive it in private and perform the first rollout next year.”

Apart from the absence of excitement regarding the post-season test, there was also a contractual aspect: Hamilton remains with Mercedes until the year’s end, and the team has organized a farewell tour with several of its sponsors. He further stated:

💬 “When I mentioned it, obviously to Toto (Wolff), they had these plans for me to meet with some sponsors and say goodbye.

“So I don’t believe it was ever going to be feasible, even if I had requested to participate, because I’m under contract with the team until December 31, and that’s completely acceptable.

“But it doesn’t concern me, as I wasn’t planning on attending the test. I told Fred that it wasn’t something I wanted to do.”