Hamilton crashed in probably the worst Ferrari he’ll…

Hamilton crashed in probably the worst Ferrari he’ll…read more

Lewis Hamilton recently experienced a crash during a private Ferrari test session in Barcelona, reportedly towards the end of his half-day session, possibly in the final corner of the track. While the specifics of the crash remain unclear, Italian media sources suggest that driver error was likely involved. Ferrari, however, has downplayed the incident, emphasizing that crashes are a common occurrence during testing, especially when drivers are pushing the limits of unfamiliar cars. Hamilton has faced similar situations in the past, notably during pre-season testing with McLaren in 2007 and with Mercedes in 2013.

This particular crash is noteworthy because it took place while Hamilton was testing Ferrari’s 2023 car, which had its own set of significant challenges throughout the 2023 season. The 2023 Ferrari, regarded as the least successful and most problematic model in the current ground-effect era, struggled with numerous handling issues. The car was especially difficult to manage in high-speed corners, such as the final turn in Barcelona, due to unpredictable aerodynamic behavior. The design of the car, particularly its fat-fronted sidepods, had performed decently in 2022, but as the team sought to extract more downforce from the car in 2023, the aerodynamics became inconsistent. This made the car’s rear end unstable, especially in crosswinds or at high speeds, leading to a challenging driving experience. Both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, struggled with maintaining consistency in the car’s handling, which contributed to Ferrari’s disappointing results in the 2023 season.

Ferrari attempted to address these issues through a series of upgrades, including a significant change to the car’s sidepods in Barcelona. This modification was aimed at improving aerodynamic stability, but despite these adjustments, the car’s handling remained unpredictable. Leclerc, in particular, faced difficulties committing to fast corners, which hindered his ability to extract the full potential from the car. Sainz, on the other hand, experimented with a different setup that deliberately induced understeer, helping him manage the rear end of the car and ultimately secure Ferrari’s only victory of the season in Singapore. Later in the year, Ferrari introduced an upgrade to the floor of the car, which brought some improvements. However, the 2023 Ferrari never fully overcame its fundamental handling issues, leaving the team with a car that was difficult to manage and often inconsistent on track.

Hamilton’s recent crash occurred while testing this revised 2023 Ferrari, which, while less challenging than earlier versions, still retained many of the same handling issues. This provides a reminder of the hurdles Hamilton faces in adapting to Ferrari’s car, particularly considering the significant differences between the Ferrari and his current Mercedes car. Despite the improvements made to the 2023 Ferrari, it remains a tricky car to handle, and Hamilton’s crash highlights the challenges he encountered during the test session.

It is important to note, however, that the test session does not fully represent what Hamilton will face in the upcoming 2024 season. Ferrari’s 2024 car, which is expected to be a more competitive machine, will be an evolution of the 2023 model, with several improvements aimed at addressing the handling issues that plagued the previous year’s car. These changes should make the car more predictable and easier to drive, especially in high-speed corners. Additionally, the 2025 SF-25, which Hamilton is expected to race, will likely continue to build upon the progress made in 2024, meaning it will be a more refined and competitive package than the 2023 car.

In the context of Hamilton’s long-term relationship with Ferrari, the 2023 Ferrari will likely be the most challenging car he will drive for the team. Despite the difficulties he encountered during the test session, Hamilton’s experience will provide valuable insights as he continues to familiarize himself with the car’s systems, steering settings, and seat position. These lessons will be crucial as he prepares for the upcoming seasons with Ferrari, where he will be expected to help the team return to the front of the grid. While the 2023 Ferrari was far from ideal, it offers Hamilton an opportunity to learn and adapt, setting the stage for a more competitive partnership with Ferrari in the years to come.