In an unexpected turn during pre-season testing, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton crashed Ferrari's latest model at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The incident, which occurred on his second day behind the wheel, has raised eyebrows, but fortunately, Hamilton walked away uninjured.
Ferrari has remained tight-lipped about the crash, viewing it as a routine part of Hamilton's acclimatization to a new vehicle after spending over a decade with Mercedes. The limited pre-season test programme, a result of stringent F1 regulations, has heightened the importance of these initial runs for Hamilton as he embarks on this new chapter with the iconic Scuderia.
Testing observations peg Hamilton as adapting to the distinctive characteristics of Ferrari's 2023 car, as he collaborates with teammate Charles Leclerc. The team is keen on establishing a seamless partnership between Hamilton and his race engineer, Riccardo Adami, to prepare for the initial race of the season at the Australian Grand Prix in mid-March.
The current testing restrictions allow drivers to complete a mere 1,000km in previous car models. Hamilton managed 30 laps at the Fiorano test track before shifting focus to Barcelona. As Ferrari prepares to unveil their 2025 car on February 19, they plan additional driving sessions to maximize Hamilton's familiarity with the team structure and technical setup before the launch of the new vehicle.
Furthermore, Ferrari will join forces with Pirelli for additional tyre testing, ensuring proper adaptations to meet future regulations. In parallel, rival team McLaren will undertake similar tests at Paul Ricard, showing the continuous evolution of F1 amidst tightening competition and strict regulatory frameworks.
