Lewis Hamilton’s new Ferrari, known internally in Maranello as project 677, has successfully passed the mandatory FIA crash tests, marking a key milestone in its development.
The seven-time world champion is set to join Scuderia Ferrari, where he will partner with Charles Leclerc. The 677 is scheduled to make its first on-track appearance at Fiorano on February 19, just one day after the official unveiling of the F1-75 in London.
Passing the FIA crash tests is an essential requirement for any team wishing to race a new chassis in Formula 1. This step ensures that the car’s structure can adequately protect the driver during an impact. McLaren‘s infamous failure to pass the crash tests with its MP4-18 serves as a stark reminder of the importance of this procedure.
The crash tests themselves include both static and dynamic impact simulations, designed to evaluate the chassis’s ability to withstand various forces. Only once the car has demonstrated it can endure these loads is it approved for use in racing. According to the Italian media, the new Ferrari single-seater for the 2025 Formula 1 championship has passed all relevant crash tests, including those focused on the front, side, fuel tank integrity, halo fixings, and vertical loads.
While it’s uncertain exactly when Lewis Hamilton will first get behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car, he is expected to participate in a test at the Fiorano circuit, which will likely take place in either January or February. This test, part of the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program, will allow the British driver to familiarize himself with Ferrari’s 2023 car before the official season begins.
We recently provided insight into the major changes Ferrari plans to implement in their 2025 car, which can be read in more detail here.
