Hamilton crashed on first day test :makes Ferrari boss felt…read more
Lewis Hamilton’s recent move to Ferrari has generated significant buzz in the F1 world, with many considering it a monumental shift in his career. However, it wasn’t the first time Hamilton’s decision to switch teams raised eyebrows. A similar situation unfolded in 2012 when he chose to leave McLaren and join Mercedes, a move that was widely questioned at the time. Critics doubted whether the Mercedes team could offer the same level of success that McLaren had provided. Despite the skepticism, Hamilton’s decision ultimately proved to be one of the most successful in F1 history.
Over the course of his 12-year tenure with Mercedes, Hamilton went on to secure six World Championships, 84 race wins, and 78 pole positions. His partnership with Mercedes, which began with some uncertainty, transformed into an era of unprecedented success for both him and the team. However, like any major shift in his career, his first days at Mercedes were far from smooth.
Hamilton’s transition to Mercedes began in 2013 when the team launched their W04 car on February 4 at Jerez, Spain, marking the start of the new F1 season. On the first day of testing, Mercedes encountered a series of problems. Nico Rosberg, who was driving the W04 for the initial shakedown, was forced to pull off the track after only 14 laps. Smoke was seen coming from the rear of the car, and the team was unable to run the car for the remainder of the day.
The following day, Hamilton had his first official session behind the wheel of the Mercedes W04. The anticipation surrounding this moment was immense, as it marked his debut with the team after leaving McLaren. However, the day quickly turned disappointing when Hamilton encountered a brake failure during his run. As he entered the Turn 6 hairpin, the failure caused the car to skid off the track and into the gravel, ultimately leading to a crash into the tire barriers. This early setback put an abrupt end to his first day of testing with Mercedes.
Hamilton remained calm and composed after the crash, acknowledging the importance of such moments during testing. “I’m just glad that firstly I’m safe and that it’s happened now, not when we’re in the season or something,” he said, downplaying the incident. He also emphasized the significance of testing, noting that such mishaps were part of the development process. “This is what testing is about. It’s about getting through those development phases, errors or whatever they may be, and working on them,” Hamilton explained. Despite the impact of the crash, which he described as “pretty heavy,” he assured that it was not as severe as some of his past accidents.
Fortunately, Hamilton’s second outing with the team on day four of the test proved much more productive. He completed an impressive 145 laps, signaling that the initial issues were being resolved. From that point forward, the partnership between Hamilton and Mercedes grew stronger, culminating in one of the most successful eras in Formula 1 history.
In the end, while Hamilton’s first days with Mercedes were marred by a few technical difficulties and a crash, the long-term success of the partnership proved that early struggles could be overcome. The subsequent years saw Hamilton and Mercedes dominate the sport, and their success became one of the most iconic stories in modern F1. Now, as he embarks on a new chapter with Ferrari, Hamilton’s legacy continues to evolve.
