Lewis Hamilton’s second take a look at 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 crew’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 crew’s efforts, the required repairs couldn’t be accomplished in time, leaving Leclerc unable to take part.
Preliminary reviews recommend that Hamilton could have been caught out by a bump within the observe, which might imply the crash was not totally his fault. However, the accident has impacted his preseason preparations. Formulation 1 rules strictly restrict groups to only 4 days of Testing of Earlier Automobiles (TPC) with their present full-time drivers, and Ferrari has now used up three of these days.
The crew is about to return to Barcelona subsequent week for a Pirelli tyre take a look at, which gives them the choice of staying an extra day. Nevertheless, if Ferrari chooses to increase their working, Hamilton might be unable to conduct any additional in-season testing except he drives a automotive that’s a minimum of 5 years outdated. Whereas the winter testing interval stays essentially the most crucial part for his adaptation, Ferrari had supposed to maintain at some point 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 observe with Leclerc for the primary time as a Ferrari driver. The 2 might 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 rules.
To copy 2026 aerodynamic circumstances, 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 usually run high-downforce wings at this venue to maximise stability by means of its flowing medium-speed corners.
McLaren has already begun testing the 2026-spec tyres at Paul Ricard in France beneath moist circumstances, 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 rules. Whereas the session will supply Hamilton a style of the upcoming period, its relevance to the present season might be restricted.
Hamilton addressing a key Ferrari weak spot 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 often misplaced positions relative to his grid slot, prompting the crew to think about changes to their beginning process.
Nevertheless, with subsequent week’s take a look at falling beneath Pirelli’s jurisdiction, Ferrari can 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 might be strengthening his working relationship with Ferrari’s engineering crew as he continues to combine into his new environment.
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