Hamilton Unable to Test for Ferrari Until Bahrain Due to….read more
Since his official move to Scuderia Ferrari in early January, Lewis Hamilton has wasted no time integrating himself into his new team. The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion has been actively participating in testing sessions, much to the delight of the passionate Ferrari fanbase, the Tifosi. However, despite his strong start with the Italian outfit, Hamilton’s testing has now come to an enforced halt due to FIA regulations. He will not be allowed to drive a Ferrari F1 car again until the official pre-season test in Bahrain from February 26 to 28.
This temporary break in Hamilton’s track action is not due to any setbacks, such as his previous incident while driving Ferrari’s SF-23. Instead, the pause is a direct result of Formula 1’s strict testing regulations, particularly the mileage restrictions placed on drivers under the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) rules. These rules limit how much running a driver can do in older F1 machinery outside of the officially sanctioned pre-season and in-season test sessions.
Hamilton’s Ferrari Testing Generates Buzz
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has been one of the most highly anticipated driver switches in recent F1 history. Since joining, he has been putting in extensive laps both at Ferrari’s private Fiorano test track and in high-profile sessions at other circuits, including Barcelona. His initial runs in the SF-23 were aimed at getting comfortable with Ferrari’s systems, team operations, and the general feel of their recent car. The excitement surrounding his first outings in Ferrari red has been immense, with fans and media closely following his every move.
The British driver’s recent activities also included participation in Pirelli’s tyre testing programme for the 2026 season. Alongside his new team-mate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton took part in evaluating prototype tyres, providing valuable feedback that will influence the future of Formula 1’s tyre development.
Despite this momentum, Hamilton will now have to wait several weeks before getting another chance to drive a Ferrari F1 car. This limitation is purely due to the regulatory framework governing private testing and not because of any technical or performance-related reasons.
TPC Regulations and Mileage Restrictions
Formula 1 has long enforced strict testing limits to prevent teams from gaining an unfair advantage through excessive private running. The Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) rule permits teams to conduct test sessions with cars that are at least two years old, primarily to help drivers adapt to new machinery. This is particularly beneficial in cases like Hamilton’s, where a high-profile driver is transitioning to a new team.
However, the TPC rules impose a clear mileage cap to ensure fairness across all teams. Under current regulations, race drivers are restricted to a maximum of 1,000 kilometres in previous-generation F1 cars, which must be spread across four designated test days. Hamilton has now exceeded this limit, meaning he is not permitted to conduct further private testing with Ferrari before the official pre-season test in Bahrain.
Next Steps for Hamilton and Ferrari
Hamilton’s early Ferrari runs have provided valuable insights for both him and the team as they prepare for the 2025 season. While he will now have to wait until Bahrain to return to the cockpit, his initial experience with Ferrari will undoubtedly prove beneficial when he finally gets to drive the team’s latest challenger, the SF-25, in official testing.
With the Bahrain pre-season test now on the horizon, Ferrari and Hamilton will be focusing on maximizing their preparation time in the simulator and refining their setup work before hitting the track again. The anticipation remains high as fans eagerly await Hamilton’s first official outings in Ferrari’s 2025 car, marking the true beginning of his new chapter with the Scuderia.
