Hamilton shunt causes Leclerc’s Ferrari run to be scrapped

Hamilton shunt causes Leclerc’s Ferrari run to be scrapped SF-23 got…read more

Ferrari’s second Formula 1 test day in Barcelona was significantly impacted when an early crash by Lewis Hamilton led to considerable damage to their SF-23 car, which ultimately resulted in the cancellation of Charles Leclerc’s scheduled session. The test, held as part of the “Testing of Previous Cars” regulations, was meant to help teams familiarize themselves with their 2023 machines. Under the new testing guidelines, teams are allowed 1000km of testing over four days, which can be divided among their drivers. Ferrari had already completed 131km at Fiorano the previous week, with both Hamilton and Leclerc getting behind the wheel of the SF-23, and the team had planned to accumulate more mileage in Barcelona.

However, around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Hamilton was involved in a crash at Turn 12. The impact caused significant damage to the front suspension and the bodywork of the car, leaving Ferrari with substantial repair work. As a result, the team was forced to halt their testing activities while the car was being fixed. Leclerc had been scheduled to take over driving duties in the afternoon, but the damage was severe enough that the necessary repairs wouldn’t be completed in time for him to get back on track. Additionally, as the day progressed and daylight began to fade, it became clear that there would be insufficient time to continue testing. By the time the repairs were finished, visibility was too low for any further on-track running.

With the crash and subsequent delays, Ferrari’s planned testing for the remainder of the day was scrapped, and both Hamilton and Leclerc left Barcelona. The team’s testing activities were postponed, but they resumed the following day, with Ferrari’s main reserve driver, Antonio Giovinazzi, and Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) talent Dino Beganovic sharing driving duties. The two drivers were assigned the task of covering the remaining mileage for the SF-23 during the session.

Giovinazzi, a well-established Formula 1 reserve driver, brought valuable experience to the team, while Beganovic, a promising young talent from the FDA, continued to progress in his motorsport career. The Swedish driver, who has been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2020, is working towards earning his FIA superlicence. Beganovic’s rise through the ranks has been impressive—he won the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and has consistently performed well in Formula 3, finishing in sixth place in the standings for the last two seasons. One of Beganovic’s goals is to cover the necessary 300km in an F1 car to fulfill the requirements for an FIA superlicence, and the ongoing testing sessions offered him an opportunity to achieve that milestone.

For Beganovic, these test days are important, not only for gaining valuable experience in a Formula 1 car but also to prepare for a potential opportunity to participate in Free Practice 1 sessions during the 2025 F1 season. Under F1 regulations, each team is required to field a rookie driver for four Free Practice 1 sessions during the season, which could open the door for Beganovic to make his mark in official F1 sessions in the near future.

Looking ahead, Ferrari still has one more testing opportunity left with the SF-23 before the start of the 2025 season. The team can run both Hamilton and Leclerc for an additional day of testing, thanks to the Pirelli tire test scheduled for February 4-5. McLaren will also participate in this tire test, which will allow Ferrari to extend their time in Barcelona and complete their final testing day under the current regulations. With this additional time, the team hopes to gather more data and complete the final mileage required by the rules.

Overall, while Ferrari’s second test day in Barcelona was disrupted by the crash and subsequent repairs, the team has found ways to adapt. Giovinazzi and Beganovic’s involvement in the testing process ensures that the team will still gather valuable data, even if the schedule was affected by the earlier incident. The next few weeks will be crucial for the team as they continue to prepare for the 2025 season and the ongoing development of the SF-23.