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Toto Wolff on Hamilton’s Ferrari Testing Crash: “I Know Exactly Why It Happened”
Lewis Hamilton recently had his first experience behind the wheel of a Ferrari during a private test session in Barcelona. However, the session took an unexpected turn when the seven-time world champion crashed the SF-23, a car from Ferrari’s 2023 season. The incident caused damage to the front wing and suspension after Hamilton lost control and hit the barriers.
The SF-23 was known for its challenging handling characteristics, with Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz struggling with its unpredictability throughout the 2023 season. One of the main issues was the car’s “aero peakiness,” which made it difficult to control in certain conditions. Ferrari spent much of 2024 working on improvements to make the car more balanced and stable.
Despite the crash, Hamilton’s incident is not a major concern for Ferrari. The private test was designed to push the car to its limits and provide Hamilton with valuable experience before his full-time switch to the team in 2025. Ferrari likely wanted to see how the British driver adapted to the car’s unique characteristics while gathering data on its performance in extreme situations.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Hamilton has encountered difficulties when switching teams. In 2013, during his first test with Mercedes at Jerez, he also suffered an early crash—just 15 laps into the session. That incident was caused by a failure in the rear brakes, which resulted in Hamilton losing control and going off the track. The crash even led to flames emerging from the car as unburnt fuel ignited in the exhaust. The issue was later traced to a hydraulic brake line connected to the rear right caliper.
However, that setback did not hinder Hamilton’s success with Mercedes. After leaving McLaren in 2012, he quickly adapted to his new team, and with the introduction of the hybrid era in 2014, he went on to win multiple world championships. His time with Mercedes ultimately cemented his status as one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers.
Hamilton’s crash in the Ferrari test is likely to be seen in a similar light—a minor setback in an otherwise crucial learning process. His ability to bounce back from challenges has been a defining trait of his career, and this incident will likely be just another step in his journey with Ferrari.
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