Damon Hill Warns Fans: Don't Buy Into Ferrari’s Winter "Show"

As the F1 community pores over the lap times from Barcelona and looks ahead to Bahrain, 1996 World Champion Damon Hill has issued a stern warning: do not trust Ferrari’s testing pace. Hill, speaking on the Stay on Track podcast, argues that the Scuderia is trapped in a cycle of "glory hunting" during the winter months to appease their passionate fanbase and sponsors. 

The Illusion of Speed 

Hill points out that Ferrari frequently tops the timing sheets in February, only to disappear when the real racing begins in March. This is often achieved by running the car on low fuel and aggressive engine modes—a tactic Hill describes as "completely pointless." It creates a false sense of security that quickly turns into embarrassment when the true pecking order is revealed. 

"You see teams suddenly at the top that you don't expect at all," Hill explained. "In practice, there is often a huge difference in fuel, settings, and programs. Viewers must be careful not to attach too much value to those lap times." While Ferrari feels the pressure to perform for the cameras, Hill notes that Red Bull is much more adept at hiding their true potential until it actually matters. 

 

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Date
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Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
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23 - May 25 2025
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30 - Jun 1 2025
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Austria
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United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
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29 - Aug 31 2025
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5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
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23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
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13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
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1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
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Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
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Italy Monza
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Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
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17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
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  • Date of b. Sep 17 1960 (65)
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