Ferrari ran with Lewis Hamilton yesterday morning on the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, following a program largely much like what was began on Tuesday afternoon. Nonetheless driving the SF-23 single-seater, the Brit continued his private studying curve with the Prancing Horse. Quite a lot of work targeted on dealing with, supported by prior expertise within the Maranello simulator. The automotive’s setup was adjusted a number of instances—an fascinating method to understanding the automotive’s limits and testing the motive force’s response to numerous modifications.
An analysis of the hybrid system’s overboost administration was additionally performed. As we all know, Ferrari makes use of a particular mapping referred to as K2, sometimes activated at race begins or after a restart following a double yellow flag with the Security Automotive on observe. This mode permits the Maranello workforce to handle how the power recovered from the motor-generators is distributed alongside the interior combustion engine’s energy. This process is just not standardized, as it’s adjusted based mostly on the observe format the place the automotive is competing.
Typically, this additional power is used for a few quarter of a lap earlier than switching again to the usual race mode. Lewis Hamilton familiarized himself with this significant facet, the place the motive force performs a big position in selecting the power deployment share. That is often practiced within the first free observe classes of a race weekend. The identical applies to K1 and K1 Plus modes, the place the motive force’s enter is vital in offering suggestions to the pit wall and validating or adjusting preselected setups examined within the simulator.
In the direction of the top of what appeared to be his ultimate stint of the day, Lewis Hamilton had his first crash whereas driving the Ferrari. Luckily, in line with the stewards, it was a minor incident. Based mostly on info gathered and reported by the Italian media, automotive quantity 44 misplaced rear grip within the third sector of the Catalan circuit. The Briton tried to regain management however was unable to keep away from contact. Whereas not extreme, the affect nonetheless brought on some harm to the Italian automotive—nothing irreparable, luckily.
Lewis Hamilton is okay, with no penalties from the incident. He was reportedly fairly upset for 2 causes. First, he needed to minimize his take a look at brief. Second, the British driver felt dangerous for his teammate, as the 2 Ferrari drivers are sharing the one out there automotive in Barcelona. Nonetheless, Ferrari mechanics are already working to revive the automotive and regulate it for Charles Leclerc, altering the seat, pedal measurements, and a part of the setup.
Regardless of the delay within the schedule, Charles Leclerc ought to nonetheless be capable to full his take a look at program subsequent week on the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. At present, nevertheless, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc should not driving the Ferrari. As a substitute, Italian Antonio Giovinazzi and Swedish academy driver Dino Beganovic are anticipated to take the wheel. The Italian workforce has chosen to avoid wasting the ultimate take a look at day for his or her major drivers, intending to make use of it later below completely different circumstances, assured they’ve gathered ample information.