With F1’s current regulations now in their fourth year, the performance gaps that gave front-runners comfortable advantages are shrinking fast. Teams that were once struggling to keep pace have had enough time with these cars to catch up on the learning curve. (See: Ferrari and McLaren’s surge last year .)

The seven-time world champion made his first public appearance for the Scuderia at the F1 75 Live event at London's O2 Arena on Tuesday, joining new teammate Charles Leclerc and team boss Fred Vasseur on stage after Ferrari unveiled their new car for the 2025 season, the SF-25.