Lewis Hamilton’s second check with Ferrari ended prematurely on Wednesday after he crashed into the obstacles within the closing 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 up 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 experiences recommend that Hamilton might have been caught out by a bump within the observe, which might imply the crash was not fully his fault. Nonetheless, the accident has impacted his preseason preparations. Method 1 laws strictly restrict groups to only 4 days of Testing of Earlier Vehicles (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 check, which affords them the choice of staying an extra day. Nevertheless, if Ferrari chooses to increase their operating, Hamilton can be unable to conduct any additional in-season testing until he drives a automobile that’s a minimum of 5 years outdated. Whereas the winter testing interval stays probably the most essential section for his adaptation, Ferrari had supposed to maintain in the future 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 observe with Leclerc for the primary time as a Ferrari driver. The 2 can be evaluating prototype tyres for the 2026 season whereas driving the staff’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 alternative for the Barcelona circuit. Motorsport journalist Rosario Giuliana has described this strategy as “unprecedented,” as groups sometimes run high-downforce wings at this venue to maximise stability by its flowing medium-speed corners.
McLaren has already begun testing the 2026-spec tyres at Paul Ricard in France beneath 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 can be restricted.
Hamilton addressing a key Ferrari weak point from Carlos Sainz’s closing season
To this point, Ferrari has been in full management of its testing agenda, fastidiously managing mileage restrictions whereas prioritizing their very own targets. One key space of focus for the British driver has been enhancing race begins, an space the place his predecessor Carlos Sainz struggled throughout the 2024 season. Sainz continuously misplaced positions relative to his grid slot, prompting the staff to think about changes to their beginning process.
Nevertheless, with subsequent week’s check falling beneath Pirelli’s jurisdiction, Ferrari can have much less freedom to tailor this system to their very own wants. Relatively than refining the dealing with traits of the automobile, Lewis Hamilton’s precedence can be strengthening his working relationship with Ferrari’s engineering staff as he continues to combine into his new environment.
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