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 required repairs couldn’t be accomplished in time, leaving Leclerc unable to take part.
Preliminary reviews counsel that Hamilton could have been caught out by a bump within the observe, 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 simply 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 about 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 working, Hamilton will probably be unable to conduct any additional in-season testing until he drives a automotive that’s not less than 5 years outdated. Whereas the winter testing interval stays essentially the most essential section for his adaptation, Ferrari had supposed to maintain sooner or later 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 will probably 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 copy 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 usually 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 underneath moist situations, the place they, too, have opted for decreased downforce. Moreover, the check vehicles have been made roughly 30 kilograms lighter, which supplies a glimpse into the path 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 will probably be restricted.
Hamilton addressing a key Ferrari weak spot from Carlos Sainz’s closing season
Up to now, Ferrari has been in full management of its testing agenda, fastidiously managing mileage restrictions whereas prioritizing their very own goals. One key space of focus for the British driver has been bettering race begins, an space the place his predecessor Carlos Sainz struggled throughout the 2024 season. Sainz often 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 underneath Pirelli’s jurisdiction, Ferrari could have much less freedom to tailor this system to their very own wants. Reasonably than refining the dealing with traits of the automotive, Lewis Hamilton’s precedence will probably be strengthening his working relationship with Ferrari’s engineering staff as he continues to combine into his new environment.
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