Lewis Hamilton set for extra Ferrari test ahead of F1 2025 season after….read more
Lewis Hamilton is set for an additional pre-season test as he prepares for his first season with Ferrari in Formula 1. According to reports, the seven-time World Champion will get behind the wheel of Ferrari’s 2024 car early next month, ahead of the 2025 F1 season. This extra test is part of ongoing preparations for the significant changes coming to F1 in 2026, including revised technical regulations that will impact everything from chassis design to engine specifications.
Hamilton’s involvement with Ferrari began in earnest this week when he made his first official visit to the team’s Maranello factory. During the visit, he had the opportunity to drive Ferrari’s 2023 car at the Fiorano test track, completing 30 laps in what he described as an incredibly emotional experience. He expressed that it was “one of the best feelings” of his life, emphasizing how excited he was to drive the car for the first time. This milestone marked the beginning of Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari after his high-profile move from Mercedes, which was announced nearly a year ago.
In a significant development ahead of the new season, Hamilton will take part in a Pirelli tyre test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 4-5. This test will focus on developing tyres for F1’s 2026 regulations, with Hamilton and his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, set to participate. The two drivers will use a modified version of Ferrari’s SF-24 car, known as a “mule car.” This adapted car is not built to the same specifications as the current SF-24 but is designed to simulate the performance and downforce levels expected from the new generation of F1 cars in 2026. The mule car will be used to evaluate Pirelli’s experimental hard tyres for the upcoming season.
The 2026 F1 regulations bring substantial changes to the sport, particularly in terms of the power units and the type of fuels used, with an emphasis on 50% electrification and fully sustainable fuels. Additionally, active aerodynamics will be introduced, and the tyre specifications will undergo adjustments. While the 18-inch rims will remain in use, the tread width of the tyres will be reduced by 25 millimeters at the front and 30 millimeters at the rear, which will have a significant effect on car handling and performance.
Mule cars like the one Hamilton will be driving are commonly used by F1 teams ahead of major regulatory shifts. These cars are modified to emulate the characteristics of the new cars without violating the sport’s testing rules, which typically prevent teams from testing current cars outside of official sessions. Ferrari previously used a mule car in 2016 to prepare for the 2017 technical changes, modifying their SF15-T to simulate the higher downforce levels required for the next-generation cars.
The upcoming tyre test will provide valuable data for Pirelli as they work to develop tyres that will be compatible with the 2026 regulations. This test is a crucial part of the preparations for what will be a transformative period in Formula 1. As Hamilton gets further acquainted with Ferrari, his participation in these tests will help the team refine their strategy and development process as they aim to be at the forefront of the changes set to reshape the sport.
