Ferrari Deploys Specialist After Hamilton's Crash Causes Signifi

Ferrari Deploys Specialist After Hamilton’s Crash Causes Significant…read more

Ferrari acted quickly following a significant crash involving Lewis Hamilton during a private test in Barcelona earlier this week, deploying a composites specialist to assess the damage to the SF-23. The crash occurred during the team’s private three-day test, part of their preparations for the 2025 Formula 1 season, which shifted to Barcelona after their initial wake-up test at Fiorano.

Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc had been scheduled to split driving duties across the test, with Hamilton taking over from Leclerc on Tuesday afternoon after his teammate completed the morning session. However, a major setback occurred on Wednesday when Hamilton crashed the SF-23 during the morning run, causing severe damage to the car’s suspension and aerodynamic components. This prevented Leclerc from driving as scheduled.

Initial reports suggested that the crash occurred at Turn 12, a slower right-hander, but later sources indicated that it was at the high-speed final corner, which had been restored to its original layout for the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix. The extent of the damage suggested a violent impact, although Hamilton emerged unscathed.

Despite the crash, Ferrari appeared unphased by the incident, considering it part of the testing process as drivers push the limits of their new machinery. The team did not alter their schedule for the final day of testing, and reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi, along with junior driver Dino Beganovic, took over for Hamilton and Leclerc as originally planned.

However, the severity of the damage led Ferrari to send a composites specialist from Maranello to Barcelona. According to reports, the team wanted to evaluate whether the chassis had suffered any damage that could compromise the car’s safety for the remainder of the test. The quick response underlined the scale of the accident, even though the car was ultimately cleared for use.

The specialist was also tasked with organizing the production and rotation of spare parts for the SF-23, which had been driven by Carlos Sainz in the 2023 season. Ferrari is expected to use this car during the 2025 season mainly for testing with young drivers, as the car meets the criteria for the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations. These regulations limit the testing of current machinery, preventing teams from gaining an unfair advantage with a car that could be used for the current season’s development.

Under F1’s TPC rules, teams are limited to 1,000 kilometers of testing with older cars, which can be spread across four days. Hamilton had already completed three of his four available TPC test days before the crash, leaving Leclerc with just two. While Ferrari maintained their test schedule, the crash meant that Leclerc was unable to complete his planned runs. The team is scheduled for another test next week with Pirelli, where both Hamilton and Leclerc will test the team’s 2024 car in preparation for the 2026 regulations. This test will not count towards their TPC allocation.

There has been speculation that Ferrari may extend their stay in Barcelona to make up for the lost track time due to Hamilton’s crash. While the crash was a setback, Ferrari appears confident that the damage is manageable and will not significantly affect their preparations for the upcoming season. As the team continues to refine their car and develop young talent, the quick response to the crash highlights Ferrari’s commitment to ensuring that all aspects of their car are fully assessed and ready for the challenges ahead in F1 2025.