Lewis Hamilton’s first experience testing a Ferrari Formula 1 car has hit an early setback, with his run at Barcelona ending prematurely due to a crash. The seven-time world champion was behind the wheel of the 2023 Ferrari SF-23 as part of the team’s Testing of a Previous Car (TPC) program when the incident occurred. While Hamilton was unharmed, the crash caused significant damage to the car, forcing Ferrari to adjust their testing schedule.
What Caused Hamilton’s Crash?
According to Italian publication Autoracer, the crash was “probably” caused by a bump in the third sector of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The track surface in this section has long been known for its unevenness, particularly in the braking zones, and it appears that Hamilton was caught out by one of these bumps. This resulted in a heavy impact that was severe enough to end Ferrari’s second day of running early.
Although Ferrari has not officially confirmed the exact cause, speculation suggests that Hamilton may have hit the bump while pushing the limits of the SF-23. Given that he is still adjusting to Ferrari’s machinery after spending 11 years with Mercedes, it’s possible that unfamiliarity with the car’s handling characteristics also played a role.
How This Impacts Ferrari’s Testing Plans
The damage sustained in Hamilton’s crash forced Ferrari to reconsider their plans for the final day of testing. Originally, junior driver Dino Beganovic and Ferrari sportscar driver Antonio Giovinazzi were scheduled to complete the last day of the TPC test. However, Ferrari is now expected to revise the schedule to allow Charles Leclerc to regain some of the lost mileage from Hamilton’s shortened session.
Under the new TPC regulations for 2024, race drivers are only permitted to complete a combined total of 1,000 kilometers over a maximum of four days. With limited time available, Ferrari will need to maximize their final day of running to ensure that Leclerc gets as much track time as possible.
What’s Next for Hamilton?
With his Barcelona test now concluded, Hamilton’s next on-track appearance will be on February 4th and 5th for a Pirelli tyre test at the same circuit. He and Leclerc will drive a modified ‘mule’ version of Ferrari’s 2024 car, the SF-24, designed to accommodate Pirelli’s experimental 2026 tyre constructions. McLaren will also be participating in this test as part of F1’s ongoing development of the next-generation tyres.
While the crash at Barcelona wasn’t the ideal start to Hamilton’s Ferrari tenure, it remains a minor setback in the grand scheme of his adaptation to the team. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on how quickly he can adjust to his new environment and challenge for his eighth world title.
