The seven-time F1 champion experienced a crash during his second day of testing with Ferrari, as the team works to integrate him before the season opener in March. Despite the incident, Ferrari remains optimistic about Hamilton’s adaptation.
Hamilton's Ferrari Setback During Pre-Season Testing
Hamilton's Ferrari Setback During Pre-Season Testing
Lewis Hamilton faces early challenges adapting to Ferrari in Spain following a crash at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Lewis Hamilton has encountered a setback in pre-season testing with Ferrari, crashing the team's 2023 car at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on his second day of running. Fortunately, the seven-time world champion emerged unhurt from the incident, which has sparked concern but is not deemed alarming by Ferrari. As Hamilton acclimates to the unfamiliar vehicle, having spent 12 years with Mercedes, he is simultaneously being integrated into the team's dynamic alongside his new teammate, Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari chose not to comment on the incident, emphasizing that such occurrences are to be expected during Hamilton's adjustment period. The legendary driver has only limited running available due to F1’s testing regulations, which restrict current racers to a maximum of 1,000 kilometers of testing with previous models. Prior to the crash, Hamilton had accumulated 30 laps at the team’s Fiorano test track.
This pre-season, Ferrari is keen on establishing a solid working relationship between Hamilton and his race engineer Riccardo Adami, while navigating the nuanced processes embedded in the Ferrari operation. The team is set to unveil their 2025 car on February 19, just after the F1 season launch at O2 in London, and further testing will take place to ensure Hamilton is fully prepared for the upcoming season opener at the Australian Grand Prix scheduled for 14-16 March.
To assist his familiarization with Ferrari, Hamilton will participate in a Pirelli-run tire test, and the team will extend their testing days at Barcelona on February 4-5 with a modified 2025 car adaptable to incoming regulations for 2026. Meanwhile, McLaren is conducting similar testing at Paul Ricard in France as the tire manufacturer finalizes products for the anticipated changes.
