Just in:Hamilton’s Ferrari Crash Spurs Extra….read more
Hamilton’s Ferrari Crash Spurs Extra….read more
Ferrari have made the most of their recent Pirelli tyre test in Spain by giving Charles Leclerc extra track time, makingl up for the lost laps caused by Lewis Hamilton’s crash during last week’s testing session in Barcelona.
The seven-time World Champion, still adjusting to Ferrari machinery ahead of his highly anticipated 2025 campaign, suffered a significant crash at Turn 12 of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The incident cut short Ferrari’s planned Testing Previous Car (TPC) program, limiting Leclerc’s valuable pre-season mileage. However, the Scuderia have responded by providing their Monegasque driver with additional running in an SF-23 during this week’s tyre test.
Hamilton’s Costly Crash Disrupts Ferrari’s Testing
Hamilton’s test program with Ferrari was part of an acclimatization process before his debut season with the Italian outfit. Alongside Leclerc, the Briton had been alternating stints in the SF-23, gathering crucial experience with Ferrari’s setup and driving dynamics.
The plan was straightforward: Leclerc would run on Tuesday morning, handing over to Hamilton in the afternoon. The following day, Hamilton was scheduled to drive in the morning before Leclerc took over. However, the second day of testing came to a sudden halt when Hamilton lost control of the SF-23 at Turn 12 after hitting a bump. The car suffered substantial damage, particularly to the suspension and bodywork, forcing Ferrari to abandon the rest of the day’s running.
Although Sky Sports’ Craig Slater reassured that Hamilton was “absolutely fine” after the crash, the team had to shift focus to repairing the car. The lost time meant Leclerc’s program was cut short, preventing him from completing his full pre-season schedule.
Ferrari’s Swift Recovery Plan for Leclerc
Determined not to let the missed track time impact their star driver’s preparations, Ferrari arrived at Barcelona this week with two cars: the SF-23 and a mule version of the SF-24. According to Italian media outlet Autoracer.it, Ferrari specifically arranged for Leclerc to conduct a TPC session to compensate for the missed mileage from last week.
The report states:
“Ferrari did not want to deprive Charles Leclerc of a training session to further stretch his bones, after he had already partly missed the Fiorano session due to the less-than-ideal weather. The engineers have prepared the SF-23 again for a TPC test session that will give the Monegasque the opportunity to take to the track at Montmelò and make up for the time lost last week.”
While Hamilton was occupied with Pirelli’s tyre testing in the SF-24 mule car, Leclerc was back in the SF-23, maximizing his track time. Given Ferrari’s tight pre-season schedule, this move ensures Leclerc gets essential running before the official pre-season tests begin.
Hamilton’s Tyre Test: Learning Ferrari’s Ways
While Leclerc focused on TPC running, Hamilton continued his work in Ferrari’s SF-24 mule car as part of Pirelli’s ongoing tyre development for the 2026 regulations. The 2026 season will see narrower front and rear tyres, with the width of the front tyres reduced by 25mm and the rear tyres by 30mm. Additionally, the overall diameter of the tyres will shrink from 720mm to 705-710mm.
For this test, Ferrari modified the SF-24 to simulate the downforce levels expected in 2026, reducing aerodynamic grip by approximately 20%. Despite the changes, the session still provided Hamilton with further insight into Ferrari’s operations, even though he was not running the actual SF-25 he’ll race this season.
Under the FIA’s strict testing regulations, teams are prohibited from gathering data that could provide a competitive advantage outside of the designated tyre test. The rules state:
“Cars must include and are limited to the minimal modifications necessary for the purpose of testing development tyres or for testing components or systems on behalf of the FIA for future championship seasons, as determined by the FIA.”
This ensures that while Hamilton is gaining familiarity with Ferrari’s procedures, the modified car prevents any direct performance-related learning for 2024.
Ferrari and McLaren Continue Testing
Ferrari’s test program continues for a second day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with McLaren also participating in the session. As the teams prepare for the 2025 season, every lap counts—especially for Hamilton, who is still adjusting to life at Ferrari.
For Leclerc, the additional track time could prove crucial as he seeks to establish early dominance over his new teammate. With the high expectations surrounding Ferrari’s 2025 campaign, both drivers will be eager to hit the ground running when pre-season testing officially begins.
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