Lewis Hamilton's second day of pre-season testing for Ferrari saw a minor crash at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with the team viewing it as a typical part of his adjustment to a new vehicle. Despite the incident, Hamilton emerged unscathed as he prepares for the upcoming season.
Hamilton Involved in Minor Crash During Ferrari's Pre-Season Testing
Hamilton Involved in Minor Crash During Ferrari's Pre-Season Testing
The seven-time champion faces a learning curve as he adapts to Ferrari's car.
Lewis Hamilton has experienced a minor crash while participating in Ferrari's pre-season testing program in Spain. The seven-time Formula 1 champion lost control of the team’s 2023 car at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, although he was unharmed in the incident.
The crash occurred on Hamilton's second day of testing with Ferrari, where he is working alongside teammate Charles Leclerc. Official comments from Ferrari regarding the situation were absent, but the team is focused on smoothly integrating Hamilton into their setup ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, scheduled for March 14-16.
Ferrari appears to view the crash as a part of Hamilton's learning process, as he is familiarizing himself with the new car after spending 12 years with Mercedes. Especially in light of the stringent testing limitations in Formula 1, such incidents are not uncommon.
Currently, Ferrari's testing program is limited, and Hamilton is only permitted access to the latest model car due to the ongoing regulations. Prior to this week, Hamilton had completed 30 laps at Fiorano on January 22, before transitioning to the three-day running at Barcelona.
While Ferrari has released limited information regarding the current test, Hamilton is engaging in learning Ferrari's methodologies, collaborating closely with his race engineer Riccardo Adami, and the engineering team. Looking ahead, Ferrari plans to unveil their 2025 car at Fiorano on February 19, right after the F1 season launch in London.
Further testing is scheduled for Hamilton, including a Pirelli tyre test, with additional two-day runs planned for the modified 2025 car at Barcelona on February 4-5. Meanwhile, McLaren is conducting similar tests at Paul Ricard in France, as Pirelli aims to refine its tire products for the 2026 regulations.
