Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari Troubles
Barcelona, Spain – January 30, 2025 – Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton suffered a crash during his second Ferrari test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The incident, which occurred in the final sector of the track, resulted in notable damage to the SF-23’s suspension and aerodynamic components, delaying Ferrari’s testing schedule and impacting teammate Charles Leclerc.
Incident Overview
On Wednesday morning, Hamilton was behind the wheel of Ferrari’s 2023 car, the SF-23, during a private testing session in Barcelona. The British driver, who recently made his high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, lost control of the car near Turn 12 and collided with the barriers.
The crash happened around 11 AM local time, leading to “rather serious” damage to the suspension and minor aerodynamic damage. Ferrari quickly addressed the situation, with team personnel working to assess and repair the car.
Potential Causes of the Crash
According to Auto Racer, the accident was “probably caused by a bump in the circuit,” which unsettled the car. Another contributing factor could be recent modifications to the track layout. The final chicane was removed in favor of a high-speed double right turn, which may have played a role in Hamilton’s loss of control.
This is not the first time Hamilton has faced setbacks during testing. When he first joined Mercedes in 2013, he crashed due to a brake failure. Additionally, he experienced an accident during his rookie season with McLaren.
Impact on Charles Leclerc’s Testing Schedule
Hamilton’s crash disrupted Ferrari’s testing program, particularly for Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver was scheduled to take over the SF-23 for the afternoon session, but due to repair delays, he was unable to complete any laps before daylight faded.
The loss of valuable track time is a setback for Ferrari, as both drivers prepare for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The team was focusing on race starts, clutch usage, and tire wear during the Barcelona test, hoping to improve areas where the SF-23 struggled compared to the SF-24, which Hamilton has yet to drive.
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Ferrari’s Response and Future Plans
Ferrari played down the significance of the crash, stating that such incidents are “part and parcel of a driver getting up to speed with a new team and exploring the limits of his new machinery.”
Despite the setback, Ferrari will continue its testing program. Test drivers Antonio Giovinazzi and Dino Beganovic are set to take over the car on day three of the session. Hamilton and Leclerc will resume testing in the coming weeks as they prepare for the 2025 Formula 1 season, which kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16.
Final Thoughts
While Hamilton’s crash may have disrupted Ferrari’s plans, the incident underscores the challenges of adapting to a new car and team. With pre-season testing still ongoing, both Hamilton and Ferrari will be eager to gather more data and refine their performance before the new season begins.
