Breaking: Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari tests in Barcelona today SPARK’S…read more
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari tests in Barcelona today SPARK’S…read more
Lewis Hamilton is set to continue adapting to life as a Ferrari driver during a private test session at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya this week. The three-day test, running from January 28-30, will also feature his teammate, Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari has scheduled the test using the SF-23 car, which competed during the 2023 F1 season. Both Hamilton and Leclerc will alternate driving duties, though Ferrari has not disclosed the exact schedule, noting it may change. The session is part of F1’s “Testing of Previous Cars” (TPC) regulations, which limit current drivers to 1,000km of testing in older cars annually.
Hamilton got a taste of Ferrari machinery last week, completing 30 laps (89km) at the team’s Fiorano track in his highly anticipated debut. Ferrari has since released images of Hamilton wearing the iconic red race suit, marking a significant milestone for the seven-time world champion, whose move to the Italian team has dominated off-season headlines.
In addition to this week’s private test, Hamilton and Leclerc are slated to participate in a Pirelli tire test on February 4-5, also in Barcelona, using a modified 2024 mule car. Ferrari has been strategic in maximizing Hamilton’s track time despite stringent F1 testing restrictions.
Looking ahead, Hamilton will drive Ferrari’s 2025 car for the first time on February 19 during its official launch at Fiorano, weather permitting. Following this, Ferrari and the rest of the grid will participate in three days of pre-season testing in Bahrain from February 26-28, ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16.
Reflecting on his first experience driving a Ferrari at Fiorano, Hamilton shared his excitement: “Starting up the car and driving out of the garage brought back memories of my first F1 test nearly 20 years ago. It was an incredibly special moment, and I couldn’t stop smiling.”
Hamilton also praised Ferrari’s legendary passion: “I’ve always admired the Ferrari family from the outside, but seeing their dedication and love firsthand has been awe-inspiring. That energy is contagious, and I’m incredibly grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received. There’s a lot of work ahead, but I’m eager to get started.”
With preseason preparations in full swing, Ferrari is ensuring its new driver is fully integrated as they set their sights on a competitive 2025 campaign.
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