Lewis Hamilton’s second take a look at with Ferrari ended prematurely on Wednesday after he crashed into the boundaries within the remaining sector of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya whereas driving the crew’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 crew’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 solely his fault. Nonetheless, the accident has impacted his preseason preparations. Formulation 1 laws 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 crew is ready to return to Barcelona subsequent week for a Pirelli tyre take a look at, which provides them the choice of staying an extra day. Nevertheless, if Ferrari chooses to increase their working, Hamilton shall be unable to conduct any additional in-season testing except he drives a automotive that’s at the very least 5 years outdated. Whereas the winter testing interval stays probably the most important 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 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 shall be evaluating prototype tyres for the 2026 season whereas driving the crew’s 2023 automotive, 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 via 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 diminished downforce. Moreover, the take a look at vehicles have been made roughly 30 kilograms lighter, which supplies a glimpse into the course F1 is heading with the brand new laws. Whereas the session will provide Hamilton a style of the upcoming period, its relevance to the present season shall be restricted.
Hamilton addressing a key Ferrari weak spot from Carlos Sainz’s remaining season
Thus far, Ferrari has been in full management of its testing agenda, rigorously managing mileage restrictions whereas prioritizing their very own targets. One key space of focus for the British driver has been bettering race begins, an space the place his predecessor Carlos Sainz struggled through the 2024 season. Sainz regularly misplaced positions relative to his grid slot, prompting the crew to contemplate changes to their beginning process.
Nevertheless, with subsequent week’s take a look at falling beneath Pirelli’s jurisdiction, Ferrari could have much less freedom to tailor this system to their very own wants. Moderately than refining the dealing with traits of the automotive, Lewis Hamilton’s precedence shall be strengthening his working relationship with Ferrari’s engineering crew as he continues to combine into his new environment.
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