Hamilton crashes Ferrari during private test

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

Lewis Hamilton crashes Ferrari during Barcelona private test.

Lewis Hamilton experienced an unexpected setback during Ferrari's exclusive test session at the Circuit de Catalunya on Wednesday. According to a source, the seven-time world champion veered off the track and collided with the barriers while piloting the modified SF-23.

Despite the incident, Hamilton emerged unscathed, and Ferrari remains optimistic that the crash will not disrupt their testing schedule. "The team is confident that the incident will not have a negative impact," the source assured.

Throughout the Barcelona test, Hamilton is alternating driving duties with his new teammate, Charles Leclerc. The session runs under the "Testing of a Previous Car" (TPC) regulations, employing a modified version of the prior season's car. The event is taking place behind closed doors, with no media access permitted.

This is not the first time Hamilton has pushed the boundaries early in his tenure with a new team. He previously faced incidents during his rookie season with McLaren in 2007 and again with Mercedes in 2013.

Ferrari is focusing on maximizing Hamilton's track time before his official debut at a Grand Prix weekend. The British driver completed 30 laps of Ferrari's test track at Fiorano last Wednesday and is currently engaged in a three-day testing stint in Barcelona.

Looking ahead, Hamilton and Leclerc will participate in a Pirelli tire test at the Barcelona circuit on February 4-5, driving a modified 2024 "mule" car. Following this, Hamilton is set to drive Ferrari's 2025 car for the first time on February 19, coinciding with the team's official car launch. Both drivers are scheduled to complete laps at Fiorano, weather permitting.

The preseason activities will culminate in a collective three-day test for all ten F1 teams in Bahrain from February 26-28, setting the stage for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16.

Up Next