Breaking:The suspected cause behind Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari....Read more

The suspected cause behind Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari crash

Following the team’s recent Testing of a Previous Car (TPC) session at Fiorano, Ferrari continued their testing program this week with a three-day outing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, using the 2023 SF-23 car. While the Fiorano session went without major incidents, the Barcelona test has faced some challenges, with a crash cutting short one of the planned runs for Ferrari’s driver, Lewis Hamilton.

The TPC regulations for 2025 have introduced new limitations, including a cap on race driver running, restricting them to a combined total of 1,000 kilometres over a maximum of four days. As part of the plan for the Barcelona outing, Hamilton and his teammate, Charles Leclerc, were scheduled to share driving duties. However, on the third day of testing, Hamilton’s planned run came to an abrupt halt when he crashed the SF-23, reportedly due to a bump in the third sector of the circuit. The crash caused significant damage to the car, forcing the team to end the day’s running earlier than expected.

Thankfully, Hamilton emerged from the incident unscathed, but the crash still had significant consequences for the day’s program. With the car damaged and the running cut short, Ferrari had to adjust their testing schedule for the remaining time. The plan for the final day of testing had initially been to let junior driver Dino Beganovic and Ferrari’s sports car star Antonio Giovinazzi handle the full day’s testing duties. However, following the crash, Ferrari decided to shift the schedule so that Leclerc could regain some of the laps that had been lost because of Hamilton’s crash.

With Hamilton’s testing at Barcelona now concluded, his next outing will be on February 4th and 5th for a Pirelli tyre test. During this session, Hamilton and Leclerc will drive a modified ‘mule’ version of the SF-24, which has been adapted to accommodate the new 2026 tyre constructions that Pirelli is preparing for the upcoming season. McLaren will also participate in this test, which will take place at the same Barcelona circuit.

Hamilton’s crash in Barcelona marks another milestone in his tenure with Ferrari, marking his first crash with the team. It’s a rare occurrence, as Hamilton has generally been known for his consistency on the track. However, this isn’t the first time he has found himself in a crash during a test session. Back in 2007, Hamilton crashed his McLaren during a test in Valencia, and in 2013, he had a similar incident with Mercedes during a test at Jerez.

The TPC program, which allows race drivers to test cars from previous seasons, has proven valuable for Hamilton as it provides him with the opportunity to familiarize himself with Ferrari’s more recent machinery. These sessions also offer him a chance to adapt to Ferrari’s team dynamics and trackside operations, which will be crucial when he steps into the team’s 2025 car later this month. The TPC outings serve as an essential step for Hamilton as he integrates into his new team and gets used to their technical resources and working methods.

This year, the TPC program has seen rule changes aimed at ensuring that it benefits junior drivers. The FIA introduced these changes to ensure that experienced drivers, like Hamilton, do not dominate the available mileage. As a result, race drivers are now limited to four days of testing and a total of 1,000 kilometres, while junior drivers and those not entered in the championship can run unrestricted miles. Teams are still allowed up to 20 days of TPC testing, but with a focus on development for up-and-coming drivers.

The new regulations aim to balance the testing opportunities between experienced drivers and rising talents in F1, ensuring that junior drivers get the experience they need without being overshadowed by established stars. Despite the challenges in Barcelona, the overall goal of the TPC program remains focused on benefiting young talent while allowing experienced drivers like Hamilton to acclimate to their new teams and prepare for the

season ahead.