Hamilton crashed in probably the worst Ferrari he’ll…read more
Lewis Hamilton recently experienced a crash during Ferrari’s private test in Barcelona, reportedly towards the end of his allotted half-day session, possibly at the final corner of the track. While the details of the incident remain unclear, Italian media suggest that driver error was likely involved, as Ferrari has downplayed the event. Crashes are a common part of testing, especially when drivers are pushing the limits of unfamiliar cars. Hamilton has faced similar incidents before, notably in pre-season tests with McLaren in 2007 and Mercedes in 2013.
However, the crash comes in the context of Ferrari’s 2023 car, which had its own set of challenges. The 2023 Ferrari, described as the least successful and most problematic model in the current ground-effect era, had issues that made it tricky to handle, especially in high-speed corners like the final turn in Barcelona. The car’s aerodynamics were inconsistent, particularly because of its fat-fronted sidepod design, which had initially performed well in 2022 but became problematic as the team tried to extract more downforce. This led to unpredictable handling, with the car’s rear end becoming unstable, particularly in crosswinds or at high speeds. Both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, struggled with consistency throughout the season, which contributed to Ferrari’s disappointing results in 2023.
Ferrari attempted to resolve the car’s issues through a series of upgrades, with a significant change to the sidepods in Barcelona aimed at improving aerodynamic stability. However, even with these adjustments, the car’s handling remained difficult, and Leclerc in particular struggled with committing to fast corners. Sainz, on the other hand, experimented with a different setup that deliberately induced understeer to manage the rear end, which helped secure Ferrari’s only victory of the season in Singapore. A final upgrade to the floor later in the year offered some improvement, but the 2023 Ferrari’s fundamental traits were never fully fixed.
Hamilton’s recent test car was this revised 2023 version, which was less challenging than earlier in the season but still retained the unpredictable handling traits. This serves as a reminder of the challenges Hamilton faces in adapting to Ferrari’s car. While the 2023 Ferrari is considered the worst of the current ground-effect designs, it provides valuable learning for Hamilton in terms of getting accustomed to the car’s systems, seat position, and steering settings.
However, the test is not entirely indicative of what Hamilton will face in the 2024 season. Ferrari’s 2024 car, which is expected to be more competitive, will be a significant evolution of the 2023 model, with improved handling characteristics. The 2025 SF-25, which Hamilton will race, will likely continue this progression, meaning the 2023 Ferrari will be the most difficult car Hamilton will drive for Ferrari.
