Lewis Hamilton’s TPC Running with...

Lewis Hamilton’s TPC Running with…read more

Lewis Hamilton will not participate in any further Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions with Ferrari ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, as he has reached the maximum mileage allocation permitted under the sport’s regulations.

Formula 1 teams are allowed 20 days of TPC testing per year, but only one car can be used at a time. The Sporting Regulations further restrict current drivers to a total of 1,000 km across a maximum of four days. These rules were modified following Max Verstappen’s in-season TPC test with Red Bull’s 2022 car at Imola last year.

Since announcing his shock move from Mercedes to Ferrari for 2025, Hamilton has been using Ferrari’s TPC allocation to familiarize himself with the team and its machinery. He first got behind the wheel of a 2023 Ferrari at Fiorano in January, marking his on-track debut for the Scuderia. He then took part in a two-day TPC session at Barcelona last week, where he was joined by his new teammate, Charles Leclerc.

However, Hamilton’s adaptation process was disrupted when he crashed on the second morning of testing last Wednesday. Despite this setback, Ferrari pressed on with their test program. Earlier this week, the team returned to Barcelona for a two-day 2026 Pirelli tyre test. As part of this, Hamilton got his first experience of Ferrari’s 2024 car—albeit in a modified form designed to simulate the downforce levels expected in 2026.

Additionally, Ferrari used the opportunity to run their SF-23 again at Barcelona on Tuesday, giving Hamilton his fourth and final TPC session. This marked the completion of his permitted allocation under the regulations.

With no further TPC testing available to him, Hamilton will next drive Ferrari’s 2025 car during one of the team’s two permitted filming days following the official launch of the SF-25 on February 19. These shakedown runs are typically limited in mileage and conducted primarily for promotional purposes.

The real challenge begins later in the month when Hamilton and Leclerc will officially test Ferrari’s 2025 challenger in Bahrain from February 26-28 during pre-season testing. This will be Hamilton’s first proper outing in a current-season Ferrari F1 car as he prepares for his debut season with the team.

Ferrari’s extensive TPC program has been part of their strategy to help Hamilton integrate into the team as smoothly as possible. Given the complexity of modern F1 cars and the operational differences between teams, the additional mileage was considered crucial in helping him adapt before the start of the season.

Despite the setback of his Barcelona crash, Hamilton’s sessions have provided him with valuable insight into Ferrari’s cars, team dynamics, and working methods. While he will no longer be able to conduct further TPC testing, the focus now shifts to pre-season testing in Bahrain, where Ferrari will assess the true potential of their new car.

With high expectations surrounding Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari, all eyes will be on how he performs in his new surroundings. The seven-time world champion is joining a team determined to return to title contention, and his experience and talent will be vital in their push for success.

Hamilton’s transition from Mercedes to Ferrari is one of the most significant moves in F1 history. His time with Mercedes brought six of his seven world titles, and his decision to switch teams signals a bold new chapter in his career. Ferrari, meanwhile, is hoping that Hamilton’s arrival will bring them their first drivers’ championship since Kimi Räikkönen’s triumph in 2007.

As the 2025 season approaches, Hamilton’s performance in pre-season testing will provide the first real indications of how competitive Ferrari will be. For now, with his TPC allocation maxed out, he must wait until Bahrain to get a proper feel for his new car and take his first steps toward what could be a historic season with the Scuderia.