Lewis Hamilton’s second take a look at with Ferrari ended prematurely on Wednesday after he crashed into the boundaries within the last sector of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya whereas driving the staff’s 2023 challenger. The incident disrupted Ferrari’s testing schedule, stopping teammate Charles Leclerc from taking on within the afternoon session as initially deliberate. Regardless of the staff’s efforts, the mandatory repairs couldn’t be accomplished in time, leaving Leclerc unable to take part.
Preliminary reviews counsel 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 rules strictly restrict groups to only 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 staff is ready to return to Barcelona subsequent week for a Pirelli tyre take a look at, which presents them the choice of staying an extra day. Nonetheless, if Ferrari chooses to increase their working, Hamilton might be unable to conduct any additional in-season testing except he drives a automotive that’s at the very least 5 years previous. Whereas the winter testing interval stays probably the most essential section for his adaptation, Ferrari had meant to maintain sooner or later in reserve for future wants.
Ferrari to undertake radical setup for Hamilton’s tyre take a look at subsequent week
Throughout subsequent week’s Pirelli take a look at, 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 staff’s 2023 automotive, albeit with modifications designed to simulate the anticipated downforce ranges of the brand new rules.
To duplicate 2026 aerodynamic situations, Ferrari will make use of an excessive low-downforce Monza-style setup, which is an unconventional alternative for the Barcelona circuit. Motorsport journalist Rosario Giuliana has described this strategy as “unprecedented,” as groups usually run high-downforce wings at this venue to maximise stability by means of 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 decreased downforce. Moreover, the take a look at automobiles have been made roughly 30 kilograms lighter, which gives a glimpse into the course F1 is heading with the brand new rules. 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 last season
To date, Ferrari has been in full management of its testing agenda, rigorously managing mileage restrictions whereas prioritizing their very own goals. One key space of focus for the British driver has been enhancing race begins, an space the place his predecessor Carlos Sainz struggled in the course of the 2024 season. Sainz continuously misplaced positions relative to his grid slot, prompting the staff to contemplate changes to their beginning process.
Nonetheless, with subsequent week’s take a look at falling below Pirelli’s jurisdiction, Ferrari may have much less freedom to tailor this system to their very own wants. Relatively than refining the dealing with traits of the automotive, Lewis Hamilton’s precedence might be strengthening his working relationship with Ferrari’s engineering staff as he continues to combine into his new environment.
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