Lewis Hamilton breaks silence amid ‘unprecedented’ Ferrari test claims

Lewis Hamilton breaks silence amid ‘unprecedented’ Ferrari test claims

Lewis Hamilton’s new chapter in Formula 1 began with a significant milestone last week, as the seven-time world champion joined Ferrari as part of their driver lineup. He kicked off his journey with the Scuderia team by visiting Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters. Hamilton’s initial hands-on experience with his new team saw him take to the wheel of a Ferrari SF-23 at the Fiorano circuit, where he completed 30 laps, marking the beginning of his transition into Ferrari’s racing environment.

This week, Hamilton’s preparations continued as he joined his new teammate, Charles Leclerc, at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for further testing. However, Hamilton’s session was interrupted when he crashed on Wednesday morning. According to reports, the accident occurred at Turn 12, where Hamilton lost control of the SF-23 due to a bump in the track. As a result, the car went off track and collided with the barriers, causing damage to both the suspension and bodywork.

Fortunately, Hamilton was unharmed in the incident, with Ferrari reassuring the public that the crash was not a major cause for concern. The team described the crash as a normal part of Hamilton’s adjustment process, as he sought to push the limits of his new car and better understand its performance. While the accident did halt his testing for the day, it also disrupted Leclerc’s schedule, as the crash meant he couldn’t complete his planned afternoon session. Despite this, Ferrari’s reserve drivers, Antonio Giovinazzi and Degan Beganovic, took to the track on the final day of testing to ensure that the team was still able to gather valuable data.

Crashing during pre-season tests is not an entirely new experience for Hamilton, who has encountered similar situations in the past. In 2007, while racing for McLaren, and again in 2013 with Mercedes, Hamilton had accidents during his pre-season preparations. Despite the setback, Hamilton remained unperturbed. He took to social media to share a series of photos with his followers, showing his resilient spirit and enthusiasm for the upcoming season. He wrote, “First race can’t come soon enough,” signaling his eagerness to get back on track and compete.

Next week, Hamilton will continue his testing with Ferrari, this time behind the wheel of a ‘mule’ version of the SF-24, which is based on last year’s car. Both Hamilton and Leclerc are scheduled to be in action at the Circuit de Catalunya once again, where Ferrari will also collaborate with McLaren in testing Pirelli’s new tyres for the 2026 season. This joint effort is crucial for the development of the sport’s future tyres, ensuring that they meet the requirements for the upcoming seasons.

Adding an interesting twist to the test, Ferrari is expected to run an “unprecedented” setup for the Spanish circuit. According to renowned Italian journalist Rosario Giuliana, Ferrari will implement a configuration that is typically seen at the Monza circuit, which is known for its minimal downforce characteristics. This setup is quite unusual for the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as the track typically demands larger wings and higher downforce. Ferrari’s decision to test this Monza-style configuration at Barcelona is likely aimed at gathering data to prepare for the unique challenges of the 2026 season, with a focus on understanding how different setups impact tyre performance.

In summary, Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari is off to an eventful start. Although his testing was marred by a crash, the team remains optimistic, with the British driver showing resilience and a positive outlook as he looks ahead to the upcoming season. As Hamilton continues to familiarize himself with his new car, both he and Leclerc will play key roles in Ferrari’s preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 season, which includes extensive tyre testing and the exploration of new car conf

igurations.