Disaster for Lewis Hamilton after crash in Ferrari as he left car unrepairable…read more
Lewis Hamilton, the 40-year-old seven-time Formula 1 world champion, encountered a setback during his integration into the Ferrari team. On Wednesday, January 29, during a private test session at Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Hamilton lost control of the SF-23—the car that secured a victory for Carlos Sainz at the Singapore Grand Prix in 2023—and collided with the barriers in the final sector of the track. The incident resulted in significant damage to the car’s suspension and aerodynamic components.
Despite the severity of the crash, Hamilton emerged unscathed. However, the damage to the vehicle was substantial enough to prevent his teammate, Charles Leclerc, from participating in the afternoon session as initially planned. The team had to undertake extensive repairs, which also impacted the testing schedule for other drivers, including Antonio Giovinazzi and Dino Beganovic, who were slated to run on the final day.
This incident occurred during Hamilton’s second significant outing with Ferrari. He had previously completed 30 laps at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track, marking his initial experience with the team’s machinery. The private test in Barcelona was part of Ferrari’s strategy to help Hamilton acclimate to their vehicles ahead of the 2025 season. The SF-23, known for its unpredictable rear-end behavior, posed a challenge even for a driver of Hamilton’s caliber.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Hamilton has faced such challenges during team transitions. In 2007 and 2013, during his debuts with McLaren and Mercedes respectively, he experienced crashes in pre-season tests. Notably, he went on to clinch the F1 championship titles in the subsequent seasons (2008 and 2014). This pattern suggests that early testing incidents haven’t hindered his performance; in fact, they might indicate his commitment to exploring the limits of new machinery.
Ferrari downplayed the incident, describing it as a “normal testing incident.” The team emphasized that such occurrences are part of the learning curve, especially when a driver is adapting to new equipment. Hamilton’s race engineer for the 2025 season will be Riccardo Adami, who has previously worked with drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz. This collaboration is expected to facilitate Hamilton’s transition into the team.
Looking ahead, Hamilton is scheduled to participate in a Pirelli tire test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya before the official Formula 1 pre-season testing commences in Bahrain on February 26. These sessions will provide him with further opportunities to familiarize himself with Ferrari’s machinery and integrate with the team’s operations. His competitive debut with Ferrari is anticipated at the Australian Grand Prix, where he will aim to secure a record-breaking eighth world championship, surpassing the legendary Michael Schumacher.
In summary, while the crash was a setback, it is viewed within the team as a part of the normal adaptation process. Hamilton’s history of overcoming early testing challenges bodes well for his upcoming season with Ferrari. The focus now shifts to the forthcoming tests and the season opener, where Hamilton will strive to make a significant impact in his new team colors.
