Ferrari’s preparations for the 2025 Formulation 1 marketing campaign confronted an early hurdle when Lewis Hamilton crashed the SF-23 throughout testing in Barcelona.
The Maranello squad started its on-track preparations with a session at Fiorano final week—Lewis Hamilton’s first official run as a Ferrari driver. The Brit took to the observe after Charles Leclerc, as TPC (Testing of Earlier Automobiles) rules prohibit them from operating concurrently.
Though Hamilton lapped six seconds faster than Leclerc, this was because of the Monegasque driver not having the chance to run in dry circumstances. Furthermore, neither driver was pushing the automobile to its limits at this stage.
This week, Ferrari continued testing in Barcelona, with the seven-time world champion heading out first earlier than Charles Leclerc. Not like Fiorano, Ferrari inspired Hamilton to discover the boundaries of the automobile on the Spanish Grand Prix venue.
A significant focus for Ferrari has been bettering Hamilton’s tyre administration, an space of concern throughout his closing season with Mercedes in 2024. Nonetheless, on Wednesday, the Brit crashed, bringing an abrupt finish to each his and Charles Leclerc’s operating.
Ferrari has downplayed the importance of the incident, calling it a “minor” setback, however the crash may nonetheless have penalties for Hamilton’s first marketing campaign in pink.
Lewis Hamilton’s in-season testing could possibly be affected if Ferrari runs a further Barcelona take a look at
The crash has inevitably raised eyebrows, given Hamilton’s underwhelming efficiency with Mercedes final season. Nonetheless, early studies recommend the incident could have been brought on by a bump on the circuit reasonably than driver error.
Regardless, Ferrari’s testing plans have been disrupted, with Leclerc’s Wednesday run canceled resulting from injury sustained within the crash. Hypothesis arose that Ferrari would modify its schedule to compensate for misplaced observe time.
In accordance with Autosport, nonetheless, no modifications will likely be made. Ferrari will proceed with its unique plan, handing over the SF-23 to Antonio Giovinazzi and Dino Beganovic for Thursday’s operating.
Because of this, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have already left Barcelona, with each set to return subsequent week for a Pirelli tyre take a look at.
Ferrari can be contemplating extending its keep in Barcelona to finish a fourth testing day following the Pirelli periods. Nonetheless, doing so would see the staff hit the 1,000km restrict beneath TPC rules, which might stop Hamilton from collaborating in any additional in-season assessments.
This might show pricey for the seven-time champion, as TPC periods permit groups to assemble useful knowledge in the course of the season. Max Verstappen, as an example, accomplished a TPC take a look at within the RB18 forward of the Spanish Grand Prix, which performed a vital function in his 2024 title protection.
Lewis Hamilton’s crash follows a curious pattern—and sparks title predictions
Hamilton’s Barcelona crash continues a peculiar sample in his profession that some consider bodes effectively for his future success on the Maranello staff. In 2013, he crashed throughout his first take a look at for Mercedes at Jerez, solely to win the world title the next yr and 5 extra championships within the seasons that adopted. The same incident occurred in 2007, when the British driver crashed in his first McLaren take a look at at Valencia—only a yr earlier than claiming his maiden world title.
With this pattern in thoughts, some followers are already speculating that historical past may repeat itself, predicting a Ferrari championship in 2026.
Former F1 driver Damon Hill additionally weighed in on Hamilton’s newest crash, jokingly referring to the 40-year-old as “a crashing bore” whereas noting his behavior of bouncing again from early testing incidents to realize success.
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