Ferrari’s preparations for the 2025 Method 1 marketing campaign confronted an early hurdle when Lewis Hamilton crashed the SF-23 throughout testing in Barcelona.
The Maranello squad started its on-track preparations with a session at Fiorano final week—Lewis Hamilton’s first official run as a Ferrari driver. The Brit took to the monitor after Charles Leclerc, as TPC (Testing of Earlier Vehicles) rules prohibit them from operating concurrently.
Though Hamilton lapped six seconds faster than Leclerc, this was because of the Monegasque driver not having the chance to run in dry circumstances. Furthermore, neither driver was pushing the automotive to its limits at this stage.
This week, Ferrari continued testing in Barcelona, with the seven-time world champion heading out first earlier than Charles Leclerc. In contrast to Fiorano, Ferrari inspired Hamilton to discover the bounds of the automotive on the Spanish Grand Prix venue.
A serious focus for Ferrari has been bettering Hamilton’s tyre administration, an space of concern throughout his remaining season with Mercedes in 2024. Nonetheless, on Wednesday, the Brit crashed, bringing an abrupt finish to each his and Charles Leclerc’s operating.
Ferrari has downplayed the importance of the incident, calling it a “minor” setback, however the crash might nonetheless have penalties for Hamilton’s first marketing campaign in purple.
Lewis Hamilton’s in-season testing could possibly be affected if Ferrari runs a further Barcelona check
The crash has inevitably raised eyebrows, given Hamilton’s underwhelming efficiency with Mercedes final season. Nonetheless, early stories recommend the incident might have been attributable to a bump on the circuit somewhat than driver error.
Regardless, Ferrari’s testing plans have been disrupted, with Leclerc’s Wednesday run canceled as a result of injury sustained within the crash. Hypothesis arose that Ferrari would regulate its schedule to compensate for misplaced monitor time.
Based on Autosport, nevertheless, no modifications can be made. Ferrari will proceed with its authentic plan, handing over the SF-23 to Antonio Giovinazzi and Dino Beganovic for Thursday’s operating.
In consequence, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have already left Barcelona, with each set to return subsequent week for a Pirelli tyre check.
Ferrari can be contemplating extending its keep in Barcelona to finish a fourth testing day following the Pirelli classes. Nonetheless, doing so would see the group hit the 1,000km restrict below TPC rules, which might forestall Hamilton from taking part in any additional in-season checks.
This might show pricey for the seven-time champion, as TPC classes permit groups to collect worthwhile information through the season. Max Verstappen, as an illustration, accomplished a TPC check within the RB18 forward of the Spanish Grand Prix, which performed a vital position in his 2024 title protection.
Lewis Hamilton’s crash follows a curious pattern—and sparks title predictions
Hamilton’s Barcelona crash continues a peculiar sample in his profession that some consider bodes properly for his future success on the Maranello group. In 2013, he crashed throughout his first check for Mercedes at Jerez, solely to win the world title the next yr and 5 extra championships within the seasons that adopted. The same incident occurred in 2007, when the British driver crashed in his first McLaren check at Valencia—only a yr earlier than claiming his maiden world title.
With this pattern in thoughts, some followers are already speculating that historical past might repeat itself, predicting a Ferrari championship in 2026.
Former F1 driver Damon Hill additionally weighed in on Hamilton’s newest crash, jokingly referring to the 40-year-old as “a crashing bore” whereas noting his behavior of bouncing again from early testing incidents to realize success.
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