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Hamilton Begins Ferrari Era with Testing in Barcelona

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, has officially begun his journey with Ferrari. After much anticipation, Hamilton completed his first laps for the Scuderia in the 2023 SF-23 at Ferrari’s home track in Fiorano. Despite a productive start, weather conditions limited teammate Charles Leclerc’s time on track, though he also managed a brief stint in the car.

Hamilton’s preseason preparations now move to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where he is set to complete a follow-up test in the SF-23 this week. Running from Tuesday to Thursday, January 30, the test will allow Hamilton to familiarize himself further with the car and address minor issues, including pedal setup adjustments that arose during the Fiorano outing.

Both Ferrari and Hamilton are keen to smooth out any early challenges in their partnership before the official three-day winter test in Bahrain from February 26 to 28. The Barcelona sessions fall under Formula 1’s “Testing of Previous Cars” (TPC) regulations, which allow full-time drivers to log a maximum of 1,000 kilometers annually over no more than four test days.

At Fiorano, Hamilton completed 30 laps, covering just under 90 kilometers, while Leclerc managed 14 laps, totaling 42 kilometers. This leaves both drivers with ample mileage to maximize their testing efforts in Spain. Over the three days, the focus will be on optimizing car performance and building confidence behind the wheel.

Following the Barcelona test, Hamilton is expected to remain in Spain for a scheduled Pirelli tire test on February 4 and 5. This session will see him drive Ferrari’s 2022 car, which secured five race wins last season.

At age 40, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marks an exciting new chapter in his illustrious career. The team and its star driver hope these initial tests will lay a strong foundation for a competitive 2025 season, as Ferrari seeks to return to championship-winning form.