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Hamilton and Leclerc to Sit Out Final Day of Ferrari’s Private Test in Barcelona

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will not take part in the third and final day of Ferrari’s private Formula 1 test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, according to reports from Italian publication *AutoRacer*. Instead, Ferrari will use the session to evaluate some of their reserve driver options as part of their ongoing development program.

Ferrari Adjusts Test Plans After Hamilton’s Crash

Hamilton and Leclerc had been sharing driving duties in Ferrari’s 2023 SF-23 as part of the team’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program, which allows teams to run cars that are at least two years old for a maximum of 1,000 kilometers. While the plan to step aside for the final day was reportedly in place before Hamilton’s crash on Wednesday, the incident further complicated Ferrari’s testing schedule.

Ferrari initially booked the Spanish Grand Prix circuit for a three-day test to help Hamilton adjust to his new surroundings ahead of his full-time move to the Scuderia in 2025. The test also provided an opportunity for Leclerc to continue working on setup preferences and fine-tuning his approach for the upcoming season. However, despite earlier suggestions that the two drivers would be on track for the full duration of the test, it now appears that their involvement was always set to be limited to just two days.

Hamilton has used this test as a vital opportunity to familiarize himself with Ferrari’s procedures and begin developing a working relationship with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami. The seven-time world champion first took to the track on Tuesday afternoon, before returning on Wednesday morning for a more extended run. However, his session was cut short when he crashed, leading to a delay in Ferrari’s test schedule as the team carried out repairs on the SF-23.

Despite the setback, the test has given Hamilton valuable time to adapt to his new surroundings in a lower-pressure environment before the competitive season begins. His integration into the team is a key focus for Ferrari, who hope that his experience and leadership can contribute to their push for a stronger performance in 2025.

With Hamilton and Leclerc stepping aside, Ferrari will now shift its focus to evaluating potential reserve drivers on the final day of testing. While the team has not yet confirmed who will be in the car, it is expected that one or more of Ferrari’s reserve or junior drivers will take advantage of the opportunity to gain track experience.

Possible candidates include Ferrari’s official reserve drivers, such as Robert Shwartzman or Antonio Giovinazzi, both of whom have prior F1 experience and have been involved in Ferrari’s test and development programs. The final test day will allow Ferrari to assess their capabilities in real track conditions while continuing to collect valuable data for the upcoming season.

While the private test in Barcelona does not directly impact the 2024 Formula 1 season, it serves as an important step in Ferrari’s long-term planning. The team has been working diligently to refine their approach after a mixed 2024 campaign, and integrating Hamilton into their system is a crucial part of their ambitions for 2025.

With pre-season testing still to come, Ferrari will continue analyzing the data from this private test to fine-tune their approach before the official F1 calendar resumes. Both Hamilton and Leclerc will be expected to build on their work from this session as they prepare to challenge for top positions in the coming seasons.

For now, Ferrari will conclude their Barcelona test with their reserve drivers behind the wheel, wrapping up a crucial few days of on-track running as they look to optimize their performance for the future.