JUST IN: Toto Wolff on Hamilton’s Ferrari Testing Crash: “I Know Ex

Toto Wolff on Hamilton’s Ferrari Testing Crash: “I Know Exactly Why It Happened”

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, recently had his first experience testing a Ferrari. The private session, held in Barcelona, was intended to give Hamilton a feel for the SF-23, a car from Ferrari’s 2023 season. However, the test took an unexpected turn when Hamilton lost control and crashed, damaging the car’s front wing and suspension. The incident sparked immediate attention, though neither Hamilton nor Ferrari seemed particularly concerned.

The SF-23 has been a notoriously difficult car to handle, a fact that both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, experienced throughout the 2023 season. One of the main issues with the car has been its “aero peakiness,” a term used to describe the unpredictable nature of the car’s aerodynamics. This unpredictability made it difficult for drivers to control the car under certain conditions, leading to several challenging races for the Ferrari team. In response, Ferrari spent much of 2024 working on improving the car’s handling, focusing on balance and stability to give drivers more confidence behind the wheel.

Despite the crash, Hamilton’s incident is being viewed as part of the process. The private test session was designed to push the SF-23 to its limits, and Hamilton’s goal was to familiarize himself with the car’s unique characteristics ahead of his full-time switch to Ferrari in 2025. Ferrari is expected to take the data gathered from the session to further understand the car’s performance in extreme situations. For Hamilton, it was an opportunity to see how the SF-23 differs from the cars he drove at Mercedes, especially since he’s spent much of his career with the German team.

Interestingly, this crash is not the first time Hamilton has experienced difficulties when switching teams. Back in 2013, during his very first test with Mercedes at the Jerez circuit, he also suffered an early crash. On that occasion, the crash occurred just 15 laps into the session when the rear brakes on the car failed, sending Hamilton off the track. Flames even emerged from the car after unburnt fuel ignited in the exhaust. Upon investigation, the crash was attributed to a hydraulic brake line failure connected to the rear right caliper.

Although that crash was an unsettling start to Hamilton’s time with Mercedes, it did not prevent him from achieving great success. After leaving McLaren in 2012, he quickly adapted to his new team. His real breakthrough came in 2014 with the start of Formula 1’s hybrid era. Hamilton dominated the competition, winning multiple world championships and becoming one of the most decorated drivers in the sport’s history. His time with Mercedes is now viewed as a defining chapter in his career, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest drivers the sport has ever seen.

Given Hamilton’s history, the Ferrari crash will likely be remembered as just another step in his adaptation process. His ability to overcome challenges and quickly learn from setbacks has been a key feature of his success over the years. Ferrari, in turn, is well aware of this, and the team is unlikely to be overly concerned about the crash. The private test was not a race, but rather a learning opportunity for both Hamilton and the team. Pushing the SF-23 to its limits was part of the plan, and the crash was seen as an acceptable risk.

Moreover, Ferrari has invested significant time into improving the car’s performance since its difficult 2023 season. With Hamilton joining the team in 2025, they will be eager to ensure that he feels comfortable and confident with their machinery. The crash, while unfortunate, was not unexpected given the car’s challenging nature, and it should be seen as part of the process for a driver getting accustomed to a new environment.

In the end, this incident is unlikely to affect Hamilton’s momentum as he prepares for his new challenge with Ferrari. His previous setbacks, like the early crash with Mercedes, have only made him stronger. Ferrari fans can expect that Hamilton will approach this new chapter with the same determination that has defined his legendary career in Formula 1.

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Hugo Harvey

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