Lewis Hamilton’s second check with Ferrari ended prematurely on Wednesday after he crashed into the obstacles within the ultimate sector of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya whereas driving the group’s 2023 challenger. The incident disrupted Ferrari’s testing schedule, stopping teammate Charles Leclerc from taking up within the afternoon session as initially deliberate. Regardless of the group’s efforts, the required repairs couldn’t be accomplished in time, leaving Leclerc unable to take part.
Preliminary stories recommend that Hamilton might have been caught out by a bump within the monitor, which might imply the crash was not completely his fault. Nonetheless, the accident has impacted his preseason preparations. Method 1 laws strictly restrict groups to simply 4 days of Testing of Earlier Automobiles (TPC) with their present full-time drivers, and Ferrari has now used up three of these days.
The group is ready to return to Barcelona subsequent week for a Pirelli tyre check, which provides them the choice of staying a further day. Nonetheless, if Ferrari chooses to increase their working, Hamilton might be unable to conduct any additional in-season testing until he drives a automobile that’s at the very least 5 years previous. Whereas the winter testing interval stays essentially the most important part for his adaptation, Ferrari had meant to maintain at some point in reserve for future wants.
Ferrari to undertake radical setup for Hamilton’s tyre check subsequent week
Throughout subsequent week’s Pirelli check, Hamilton will share the monitor with Leclerc for the primary time as a Ferrari driver. The 2 might be evaluating prototype tyres for the 2026 season whereas driving the group’s 2023 automobile, albeit with modifications designed to simulate the anticipated downforce ranges of the brand new laws.
To duplicate 2026 aerodynamic situations, Ferrari will make use of an excessive low-downforce Monza-style setup, which is an unconventional selection for the Barcelona circuit. Motorsport journalist Rosario Giuliana has described this method as “unprecedented,” as groups sometimes run high-downforce wings at this venue to maximise stability via its flowing medium-speed corners.
McLaren has already begun testing the 2026-spec tyres at Paul Ricard in France below moist situations, the place they, too, have opted for lowered downforce. Moreover, the check automobiles have been made roughly 30 kilograms lighter, which offers a glimpse into the route F1 is heading with the brand new laws. Whereas the session will supply Hamilton a style of the upcoming period, its relevance to the present season might be restricted.
Hamilton addressing a key Ferrari weak point from Carlos Sainz’s ultimate season
Up to now, Ferrari has been in full management of its testing agenda, fastidiously managing mileage restrictions whereas prioritizing their very own aims. One key space of focus for the British driver has been bettering race begins, an space the place his predecessor Carlos Sainz struggled through the 2024 season. Sainz continuously misplaced positions relative to his grid slot, prompting the group to contemplate changes to their beginning process.
Nonetheless, with subsequent week’s check falling below Pirelli’s jurisdiction, Ferrari may have much less freedom to tailor this system to their very own wants. Somewhat than refining the dealing with traits of the automobile, Lewis Hamilton’s precedence might be strengthening his working relationship with Ferrari’s engineering group as he continues to combine into his new environment.
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