SHUCKING:lewis Hamilton’s Crash Leads Ferrari to Give Extra Track Time to...Read more

ewis Hamilton’s Crash Leads Ferrari to Give Extra Track Time to Charles Leclerc

Ferrari has taken proactive steps to ensure Charles Leclerc’s pre-season preparations remain on track after his testing was disrupted due to Lewis Hamilton’s crash during the pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Scuderia used their scheduled Pirelli tyre test to give Leclerc the additional track time he missed, using last year’s SF-23 car to help him regain the lost mileage.

The incident occurred during a Testing Previous Car (TPC) program, a pre-season initiative that saw both Leclerc and Hamilton alternating in Ferrari’s SF-23 car to familiarize themselves with the team’s machinery ahead of the official start of the season. This test program began at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track before moving to the Barcelona circuit for an intense three-day session.

Leclerc ran the car on the first morning, Tuesday, before handing it over to Hamilton. On Wednesday, the two drivers swapped duties again. However, the session came to an unexpected halt around 11 a.m. when Hamilton crashed at Turn 12, reportedly losing control of the car after hitting a bump. The crash caused significant damage to the SF-23’s bodywork and suspension, resulting in the cessation of testing for the day. While Ferrari managed to repair the car overnight, the final day of the testing session was designated for reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi and junior driver Dino Beganovic, meaning Leclerc missed out on the opportunity for crucial track time.

To mitigate this loss of running time, Ferrari arranged an additional test during their scheduled Pirelli tyre test at the same Barcelona circuit. According to Italian publication autoracer.it, Ferrari brought two cars to the test: one was a mule version of the SF-24 for tyre development, and the other was the SF-23, which allowed Leclerc to complete the laps he had missed during the previous test. This extra session was vital as it helped Leclerc compensate for the time he had lost earlier in the pre-season due to adverse weather conditions at Fiorano, which had already limited his testing opportunities.

Ferrari made sure to prioritize Leclerc’s preparation, as they recognized the importance of providing him with adequate track time before the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season. This additional running allowed Leclerc to get back up to speed and ensure he was fully prepared for the challenges ahead, especially as he enters his third season with Ferrari, now alongside his new teammate, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

By taking these steps, Ferrari has made sure that Leclerc’s pre-season preparations have not been significantly hindered, and he will be ready to tackle the upcoming season with co

nfidence.