Scuderia Ferrari’s two-day testing session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona with its main drivers has concluded. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc completed most of the planned program together. The British driver had his first session on Tuesday afternoon, always driving the SF-23 single-seater. He continued the training he had started in Fiorano during his first run of the season, delving deeper into testing: braking, corner entry, and studying the power unit controls. In the morning, Charles Leclerc had been on track, focusing more on data collection. On Wednesday, however, Lewis Hamilton alone completed several runs.
He continued until late morning when he went off the track and crashed into the barriers. It seemed that the Monegasque driver could still use his afternoon slot, as Ferrari’s mechanics believed they could repair the car. However, the necessary repairs ended up taking longer than expected, particularly concerning the front suspension system. Lewis Hamilton apparently lost the rear of the car in Turn 14 at over 200 kilometers per hour after a snap at the front. The former Mercedes driver couldn’t regain control, and car number 44 headed straight into the barriers.
As we know, there were no issues for the seven-time F1 world champion. Fortunately unhurt, he was visibly disappointed by the incident. The new Ferrari driver was unable to complete his work, but more importantly, the crash prevented his Maranello teammate from completing the final planned stint in the Ferrari. The mechanics did everything possible. However, given the poor visibility with the sun gradually setting, Ferrari decided to abandon the session. Leclerc was left without track time. No big deal, though a little more data would have been useful.
How should Ferrari’s tests be assessed? What conclusions can be drawn? Many have wondered why Ferrari did so much running while other teams did not. However, the Maranello team did nothing irregular. It simply took advantage of the FIA’s regulations on Testing of Previous Cars programmes, which allow any team to cover up to 1,000 km during the season using an older car with specific Pirelli-designed tires for these tests. The software is also regulated, and main drivers cannot exceed four days of testing.
These are the rules to follow. Ferrari aimed to use this FIA allowance immediately for a couple of reasons. The first, quite obvious, was to accelerate Lewis Hamilton’s learning curve with the Ferrari. The Briton needed experience—getting to know the team members better, understanding the working methodology, and gaining technical practice with the car. The braking system and power unit, in fact, are two elements he will find on the SF-25 single-seater, which will be officially revealed in a little more than two weeks. The same goes for certain handling techniques tested with the SF-23.
We discussed it yesterday. In addition to trail-braking, a technique used by all drivers, even in junior categories, Lewis Hamilton studied the “trailing throttle.” This move further stabilizes the car by keeping a small percentage of throttle open during braking. It’s a technique in which Charles Leclerc is an expert. Looking at onboard footage from the top teams in 2024 and analyzing telemetry, only the Monegasque driver used it in qualifying. It is a far from simple maneuver to implement, and the Briton wanted to practice it.
And what about Lewis Hamilton’s feedback? What did he tell the team after these two days on track? The British driver is a true professional, meaning he leaves nothing to chance. For this reason, despite being very satisfied with his approach to the Italian team, he has already suggested several operational adjustments to streamline work on track. Moreover, while details are unknown, he has requested various setup modifications on the new car. Let’s not forget that the Englishman comes from Mercedes, a team that, in its golden years, demonstrated an exceptional level of operational precision.
A team capable of maximizing every task, never complacent, and always pushing for continuous improvement. Lewis Hamilton brings a wealth of experience in this regard. According to various well-trusted Italian news media outlets, Ferrari has welcomed his advice on optimizing work processes and timing with enthusiasm. This was, after all, what they expected from him. As for technical modifications to the new car, likely related to the controls of the SF-25, it seems Lewis Hamilton will have his requests fulfilled in the coming weeks.
The final feedback concerns his relationship with Riccardo Adami, his race engineer. We published a dedicated article a few months ago, anticipating their future collaboration, which was later confirmed with more details in early January. And indeed, it seems that the chemistry between Ricky and Lewis is excellent—actually, outstanding. Both share an “obsessive” work ethic, which they will put into practice throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season. The goal? Well… to fight at the top and erase that frustrating zero in the championship titles column that Ferrari has carried since 2008.
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