This concerning crash during preseason testing brings F1 back to reality: A cold shower for Tifosis

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As the 2025 Formula 1 season approaches, pre-season testing is underway at the Barcelona circuit. But for Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton, things didn’t go exactly as planned on track.

During a private test session in the SF-23, the seven-time world champion lost control and sent the car into the barriers. Fortunately, Hamilton was unharmed, but the Ferrari suffered damage to its aerodynamics and suspension. This unexpected incident delayed Ferrari’s testing program, affecting both Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc.

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A minor crash in Barcelona

Ferrari’s TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) sessions had been running smoothly until then. Lewis Hamilton was scheduled to drive in the morning, before handing over to Leclerc in the afternoon. But around 11 a.m., the British driver lost control in the third sector of the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, ending up in the barriers. The SF-23 sustained damage to the suspension and aerodynamic components in the F1 car crash. The team quickly assessed the situation, and Hamilton was able to exit the car without any medical attention. Ferrari immediately began analyzing the incident and repairing the car so that Leclerc could take to the track later in the day.

Lewis Hamilton Test Barcelona - © Scuderia Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton Test Barcelona – © Scuderia Ferrari

Hamilton adapting under pressure

This was only the second time Hamilton had driven a Ferrari F1 car. After spending years at Mercedes, he is now adapting to a completely different car philosophy. His first run at Fiorano covered just 89 km, with what appeared to be a cautious approach. That session was too short for him to fully get used to the car. The goal of this test in Barcelona was to accelerate his adaptation in better weather conditions than those in Italy. A crash is a normal part of the learning process, especially when pushing the limits. And if you know Hamilton, you know he will keep pushing until he finds the absolute edge. Should we be worried about the Ferrari-Hamilton partnership? Absolutely not. At this stage, incidents like this are completely normal, and whether we like it or not, his learning curve will include more crashes, on-track contacts, and spins. After all, he’s still human, despite his seven world titles.

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Scudera Ferrari adjusts its schedule

With this off-track moment, Ferrari had to reshuffle its schedule. Leclerc, who was supposed to drive later in the day, had to wait until the SF-23 was repaired. These tests are being overseen by former F1 driver Jérôme D’Ambrosio, now the team’s deputy director, and Loïc Serra, Ferrari’s new technical director. The goal is to maximize track timein preparation for the 2025 season. For the record, Hamilton also crashed during pre-season testing in 2007 and 2013. He went on to win the title in 2008 and 2014. Could this be a good omen for 2025? Only time will tell.

This article covers Lewis Hamilton’s crash during his test with Ferrari in Barcelona, the challenges of adapting to his new car, and how Ferrari is managing this unexpected setback. A bump in the road, but nothing that disrupts the team’s season preparations.

Images: © Scuderia Ferrari

Adrien Conges
Adrien Conges
I grew up near Magny-Cours, an old Formula 1 circuit in France so I've been passionate about motorsport and automobiles since childhood. I currently live in Bordeaux, France and I'm still waiting for Ferrari to win a 17th F1 constructors' title.

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