Toto Wolff says he knows exactly why Hamilton’s Ferrari testing crash:is due to…read more
Lewis Hamilton recently experienced his first crash while testing a Ferrari, which took place during a private session in Barcelona. The crash, which resulted in damage to the car’s front wing and suspension after hitting the barriers, occurred while Hamilton was behind the wheel of the SF-23, the Ferrari model from the 2023 season. The SF-23 had been notoriously difficult to drive, especially for Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, due to the car’s unpredictable nature, which Ferrari had to address during the 2024 season. Their focus was on improving the car’s balance after struggling with “aero peakiness” in 2023.
Hamilton’s crash is not seen as particularly alarming, as it was part of a private, media-free test session where Ferrari wanted him to push the car to its limits. This allows the team to gather valuable data on how their car handles under extreme conditions. Hamilton’s incident also mirrors a similar experience he had with Mercedes over a decade ago. In 2013, during his first test with Mercedes, Hamilton crashed just 15 laps into his session at Jerez due to a brake issue. The failure of the rear brakes caused him to lose control, sending him off-track into the barriers. The crash resulted in flames from the car as unburnt fuel ignited in the exhaust, but Hamilton emerged unscathed. The problem was later traced to a hydraulic brake line connected to the rear right caliper.
Although the 2013 crash was a setback early in Hamilton’s career with Mercedes, it didn’t prevent him from going on to achieve great success with the team. In fact, after a challenging final year at McLaren, he enjoyed one of his most successful seasons with Mercedes, and in the years that followed, Mercedes emerged as a dominant force in Formula 1. The start of the hybrid era in 2014 marked the beginning of a new chapter for both Hamilton and Mercedes, leading to multiple championship titles for the driver.
In comparison, Hamilton’s Ferrari test crash is likely to be viewed with a similar perspective, as a learning experience that won’t have long-term consequences. For both Hamilton and Ferrari, this test session is a valuable opportunity to better understand the car’s behavior and to refine its performance. Hamilton’s calm approach to these incidents and his ability to bounce back after setbacks are a testament to his resilience and experience as one of the sport’s greatest
