Suspected Cause of Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Crash Revealed.
Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated test with Ferrari at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya came to an abrupt end after he crashed the SF-23 on the second day of the team’s Testing of a Previous Car (TPC) session. The incident, which caused significant damage to the car, was reportedly triggered by a bump in the third sector, according to Italian publication Autoracer. Fortunately, Hamilton emerged unscathed from the crash, but the incident forced Ferrari to reassess their testing schedule.
Ferrari had initially planned a three-day test in Barcelona using their 2023 car, following a successful TPC session at Fiorano last week. However, the second day was cut short due to Hamilton’s accident, which has now prompted the team to adjust their plans for the final day of running. Under the revised 2024 TPC regulations, race drivers are allowed a maximum of four days of testing, with a total mileage cap of 1,000 kilometers.
With the crash disrupting the schedule, Ferrari is now expected to shift focus to allow Charles Leclerc to recover some of the lost laps. Leclerc, who had been sharing driving duties with Hamilton, will likely take center stage on the final day of testing. Junior driver Dino Beganovic and Ferrari sportscar racer Antonio Giovinazzi had been scheduled to participate in the third day of testing, but their plans may now be altered to accommodate Leclerc’s needs.
Hamilton’s next scheduled outing will be on February 4-5, when he and Leclerc will participate in a Pirelli tire test at the same circuit. They will drive a modified version of Ferrari’s 2024 car, adapted to test Pirelli’s prototype tires for the 2026 regulations. McLaren will also be present for this test, which promises to be an exciting preview of the upcoming season.
This crash marks another significant milestone in Hamilton’s new Ferrari chapter, but it’s not an entirely new experience for him. The seven-time world champion has had testing incidents with previous teams as well. In 2007, he crashed a McLaren during testing in Valencia, and in 2013, he had a similar incident with Mercedes at Jerez.
Despite the setback, the TPC sessions are providing Hamilton with invaluable track time to get accustomed to Ferrari’s operations and technical environment before officially driving the 2024 car in late February. These tests have become increasingly important, prompting the FIA to introduce stricter limits to ensure that they primarily benefit junior drivers. While teams are allowed up to 20 TPC days per year, championship-registered drivers now face mileage restrictions to prevent excessive private testing.
With Ferrari adapting its plans after Hamilton’s crash, all eyes will be on how the Scuderia maximizes the remainder of its pre-season preparations. The team will be eager to make the most of the limited testing time available, as they bid to mount a strong challenge for the 2024 championship.
As Hamilton and Ferrari regroup and reassess their plans, they will be aware that every minute of testing counts in the highly competitive world of Formula 1. The crash may have been an unwelcome setback, but it will not deter Hamilton and Ferrari from their ultimate goal of achieving success in the upcoming season.
In the world of Formula 1, testing is a crucial part of the pre-season preparations, and teams are always looking for ways to gain an edge over their rivals. The TPC sessions, in particular, offer a valuable opportunity for teams to test their cars, drivers, and equipment in a relatively low-pressure environment.
As the 2024 season approaches, Ferrari will be keen to make a strong start, and the TPC sessions will play a critical role in their preparations. With Hamilton and Leclerc at the wheel, the Scuderia will be looking to make the most of the limited testing time available, as they bid to mount a strong challenge for the championship.
The crash may have been an unwelcome setback, but it will not deter Ferrari from their ultimate goal of achieving success in the upcoming season. With their sights firmly set on the championship, the Scuderia will be eager to put the crash behind them and focus on the challenges ahead.
