BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton Breaks Silence on Ferrari Test Crash…read more
Lewis Hamilton Breaks Silence on Ferrari Test Crash…read more
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, has shared insights into an incident that took place during his pre-season testing with Ferrari. While testing the SF-23 car at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, Hamilton lost control of the vehicle at Turn 12, resulting in a crash that brought his session to an early end. The crash, which led to significant damage to the Ferrari, was described as part of the normal testing process, as Hamilton was pushing the limits of the new car. Despite the setback, Hamilton showed his usual optimism and eagerness to get back on track, saying that he couldn’t wait for his first race with Ferrari.
The incident occurred as part of Ferrari’s pre-season testing program, with Hamilton testing their SF-23 car. He was working to understand the car’s limits, which is a typical part of pre-season preparations for any team. Following the crash, Ferrari quickly assessed the damage to the car. The crash also impacted the team’s testing schedule, as it meant that Charles Leclerc could not complete his afternoon session. In response, Ferrari called upon reserve drivers Antonio Giovinazzi and Dino Beganovic to take over testing duties for the remainder of the day. To address the damage, Ferrari dispatched a composites specialist to inspect the SF-23 at the circuit, working to ensure the car was ready for future sessions.
Despite the unfortunate end to his first testing session with Ferrari, Hamilton remained positive about the upcoming season. His desire to get back on track was evident when he remarked that his first race with Ferrari “can’t come soon enough.” Hamilton, who joined Ferrari with the goal of securing his record-breaking eighth world championship, is eager to move beyond the testing setback and focus on the season ahead.
Hamilton is scheduled to return to the track next week, where he will drive a modified SF-24 mule car for a Pirelli tire test. This test will feature a unique “Monza-style configuration” that Ferrari is using to simulate lower downforce levels expected for 2026, despite the Circuit de Catalunya generally requiring higher downforce setups. The decision to test this configuration at Barcelona is a part of Ferrari’s long-term strategy to prepare for future F1 regulations. McLaren has also experimented with similar setups at Paul Ricard in preparation for the changes expected in 2026, where cars will require lower downforce for certain circuits.
In addition to the altered aerodynamics, Ferrari plans to run the mule cars with reduced weight, which mirrors the planned -30kg weight reduction for the 2026 regulations. This will allow Ferrari to gather valuable data on how their cars perform under the future guidelines and help them fine-tune their development for the upcoming seasons.
Looking further ahead, Hamilton’s next major on-track activity will be participating in Ferrari’s SF-25 shakedown, followed by the official pre-season testing in Bahrain from February 26 to 28. The SF-25, which will be Ferrari’s new car for the 2025 season, has generated significant excitement, especially with Hamilton’s involvement. Fans and pundits alike are hopeful that Hamilton’s experience and skills will help Ferrari challenge Red Bull’s current dominance in the sport and provide the team with the edge they need to compete for championships.
Although the crash in Barcelona was an unfortunate moment in Hamilton’s pre-season preparation, it seems unlikely to dampen his enthusiasm. With testing still ongoing, Hamilton and Ferrari are working together to fine-tune the car and ensure they are fully prepared for the start of the 2025 season. As the season opener approaches, both Hamilton and Ferrari are focused on building momentum and aiming to start the campaign with strong performances.
In the meantime, fans are eagerly anticipating Hamilton’s debut race with Ferrari. His move to the Scuderia marks a new chapter in both his career and the team’s history, and the journey to his first race in Ferrari colors promises to be a thrilling one for Formula 1 fans around the world. The partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari could prove to be a game-changer as they work together to reclaim the top spot
in Formula 1.
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