Lewis Hamilton is back in action for new team Ferrari this week. He’s getting a first taste of the 2024 car as part of a Pirelli tyre test in Barcelona.
Hamilton began his preparations for his Ferrari debut by driving the 2023 car at Fiorano, the test track near the team’s Maranello HQ. He then drove the SF-23 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in a second TPC outing.
However, Hamilton couldn’t complete his programme after hitting the barriers. He lost control of the car towards the end of the lap and, while he didn’t sustain any injuries, he caused significant damage.
That meant teammate Charles Leclerc, who had been due to run in the afternoon, wasn’t able to get out on track. The duo have, however, returned to the Spanish Grand Prix venue this week to log further mileage.
Ferrari will use an ‘unprecedented’ set-up in the two-day test. That’s because Pirelli want to simulate 2026 levels of downforce as they evaluate next year’s rubber.
Hamilton and Leclerc will therefore have to navigate a high-downforce circuit with the kind of skinny rear wings typically seen in Monza. That will present a unique challenge.
Charles Leclerc will drive two different cars in Ferrari test after Lewis Hamilton crash
Hamilton was the first to take to the track in the so-called ‘mule’ car on Tuesday morning. Leclerc takes over in the afternoon, and then they may flip the order for Wednesday.
They will be joined by the two McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. McLaren already carried out a wet tyre test in France last week.
A report from AutoRacer notes a ‘peculiarity’ in Ferrari’s plan. They will bring two cars to Montmelo – the 2023 and 2024 challengers.
This will allow Leclerc to carry out the TPC test session he missed last week. Ferrari didn’t want to ‘deprive’ him, particularly as his running at Fiorano was limited by the weather.
Under the regulations, teams are allowed a maximum of 1,000km of TPC running over four days. This applies to full-time drivers who are no longer classed as rookies.
Lewis Hamilton ‘loved’ one feature of Ferrari’s F1 car
Unlike Hamilton, Leclerc fully understands Ferrari’s handling characteristics and controls. He’s also developed a close working relationship with his engineering team across the past six seasons.
As such, some would argue that Leclerc doesn’t need the extra running. But Ferrari are clearly determined to treat their drivers equally, and the Monegasque will be able to use this as a training session to boost his fitness and sharpness.
Peter Windsor believes Hamilton is ‘loving’ driving the Ferrari, because he can finally at one with the car again after three years behind the wheel of an unpredictable Mercedes. His crash may have been the natural consequence of finding the limit.
Hamilton will influence Ferrari’s 2026 car development with his feedback this week. Many teams will shift resources to next year’s car earlier than usual given the scale of the regulation changes.
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