Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will be using different steering wheel setups this upcoming season, following several adjustments requested by Hamilton, the seven-time F1 world champion. In this piece, F1Technical’s seasoned writer, Balazs Szabo, delves into the significant differences between their configurations.
After putting in extensive test runs with Ferrari’s previous models at Fiorano and Barcelona, Hamilton made his first official appearance as a Ferrari driver at the Bahrain International Circuit, where he drove the Scuderia’s 2025 F1 car during the pre-season tests spanning three days.
As the winter testing wrapped up, the 105-times race winner revealed that he had wished for more track time in Manama; however, unpredictable weather played spoilsport and curtailed his program.
“We’ve had a productive day here in Bahrain,” said Hamilton. “We’re making strides in getting to grips with the SF-25 and figuring out how to unlock its full potential; the car’s reliability is promising too, which is encouraging.”
Although the testing was limited due to the weather, Hamilton mentioned, “We’re going to have some more track time tomorrow to follow through our plans and get even more comfortable with the car. It’s been a pleasure working with the team, and we’re all eagerly anticipating the final day of testing tomorrow.”
On settling in at Ferrari, Hamilton emphasized that he’s still acclimating to how the car operates. “We’re trying out numerous things. So I’m not yet focused on altering the setup or dictating the car’s direction. Today was more about fine-tuning my interaction with my engineer. It’s truly enjoyable getting behind the wheel of this car.”
He explained, “The configurations are vastly different. Even simple things like brake bias are distinct from what I previously used. It’s less about forgetting old habits and more about learning this new approach and understanding where the car excels.”
“The car demands a different driving style, and figuring that out is a fun adventure. For now, I’m definitely starting to feel a connection with the car. It’s becoming responsive to the way I handle it,” he shared.
Interestingly, Hamilton has requested several modifications to his Ferrari steering wheel, which means his setup will differ from his teammate Leclerc’s. The most striking change is the ‘N’ button. While Leclerc’s stands for neutral, Hamilton’s is labeled ‘CHR’ for hybrid regen.
Furthermore, Hamilton has reassigned the speed limiter button—usually labeled “P”—to “PC” for pit stop confirmation, and relocated the original speed limiter button further down his steering wheel. The DRS (Drag Reduction System) button now sits below the CHR on Hamilton’s wheel, unlike Leclerc’s setup where it remains at the back.
Additionally, while Leclerc navigates display pages using his right thumb, Hamilton utilizes both hands for this task.
At the back of the steering wheel, there are more distinctions. Hamilton has opted for a thinner gear selector paddle positioned higher than Leclerc’s. However, when it comes to the clutch paddle, both drivers have it on the right side of their wheels.
