Lewis Hamilton is expected to bring a deeper shade of red to Ferrari in 2025.
Although Hamilton has departed Mercedes after more than a decade—during which he clinched six of his seven world titles—team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed that the black livery elements, inspired by Hamilton in 2020, will remain part of the team's design.
"We're sticking with it. We're continuing with it," Wolff told Auto Motor und Sport.
Meanwhile, fans have interpreted recent social media activity to mean that Hamilton will drive a deeper shade of Ferrari red this year, distinct from the car Carlos Sainz piloted in 2024.
The 40-year-old is reportedly set for his first simulator session at Maranello next week. Italian sources also claim that local authorities are preparing for a significant influx of Ferrari fans, or tifosi, into the area.
Meanwhile, former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve took a jab at Flavio Briatore for criticising Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur's decision to sign Hamilton.
"You just have to look at the value of Ferrari the minute they signed him," Villeneuve said. "Yes, they are there to win, but winning helps them sell more cars and adds to the value of Ferrari.
"That's what the business is, and signing Lewis was worth millions and millions, so it was the best move they've ever done."
Reports suggest Ferrari has booked its Fiorano test track for Hamilton from January 21-23, with plans for him to drive the 2022 car at some point during that period.
However, questions remain over how competitive Hamilton will be alongside Charles Leclerc in the upcoming season, given the challenges he faced at Mercedes during F1's new 'ground effect' era post-2021.
"The current generation of cars doesn't really suit Lewis' driving style," Wolff admitted.
"He brakes late and throws the car aggressively into the corner. The car and the tyres can't handle that.
Sometimes it's better with these cars to drive at 98 percent," he explained. "And that's more noticeable in qualifying than in the races."
