Ferrari Deploys Specialist After Lewis Hamilton’s Crash in Barcelona Test
Ferrari reportedly sent a composites specialist to Barcelona following Lewis Hamilton’s crash during a private test session earlier this week. The team, currently preparing for the 2025 Formula 1 season, was left assessing significant damage to the SF-23 after the incident, which prevented Charles Leclerc from running his planned session.
Hamilton Crashes During Barcelona Test
After conducting their traditional ‘wake-up test’ at Fiorano, Ferrari moved to Barcelona for a three-day private test to continue their pre-season preparations. The test began on Tuesday, with Leclerc running in the morning session before Hamilton took over in the afternoon.
The plan for the second day of testing was for Hamilton to run in the morning before handing the car over to Leclerc in the afternoon. However, this schedule was disrupted when Hamilton suffered a significant crash that morning. Reports from trackside indicate that the accident occurred around 11 a.m. local time, with Hamilton’s car going off track and crashing into the barriers in the latter part of the circuit.
Initially, speculation suggested the incident happened at Turn 12, a long and relatively slow right-hander. However, more recent reports claim that Hamilton lost control at the high-speed final corner, which was restored to its original configuration for the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix. The severity of the impact, particularly the damage sustained by the suspension and aerodynamic components, suggests that it was a high-speed crash.
Despite the substantial damage to the SF-23, Hamilton walked away from the accident unscathed. Ferrari reportedly remains unconcerned about the setback, viewing it as a natural part of pre-season testing as drivers push the limits of their machinery.
Ferrari’s Response and Composites Specialist Deployment
Due to the extent of the damage, Leclerc was unable to take part in his scheduled session for the rest of the day. Ferrari’s engineers assessed the damage, and reports from Italy claim that the team was sufficiently alarmed by its severity, prompting them to call in a composites specialist. The specialist was flown to Barcelona immediately to assist in evaluating and repairing the car.
Despite the crash, Ferrari stuck to their original testing schedule for the final day of running on Thursday. Instead of giving more track time to Hamilton or Leclerc, the team proceeded with its plan to hand the car over to reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi and junior driver Dino Beganovic.
What the Incident Means for Ferrari and Hamilton
While the crash temporarily disrupted Ferrari’s testing program, it is not expected to have any long-term implications for their pre-season development. Incidents like these are common during testing as teams and drivers push their cars to the limit in order to understand their performance potential.
For Hamilton, who is still adjusting to his new team after moving from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, the crash is a reminder of the challenges that come with learning a new car. However, given his extensive experience and adaptability, the seven-time World Champion is expected to bounce back quickly.
The deployment of a composites specialist highlights Ferrari’s meticulous approach to managing damage and ensuring their car is in top condition ahead of the season. As the team continues its preparations for the upcoming season, they will be analyzing data from the test to refine their setup and address any weaknesses before official pre-season testing begins.
Ferrari fans and F1 enthusiasts will be eager to see how Hamilton and Leclerc perform once the 2025 season kicks off. With a new driver lineup and high expectations, Ferrari will be aiming for a strong campaign, and this early setback is unlikely to dampen their ambitions.
