Lewis Hamilton’s second test with Ferrari ended prematurely on Wednesday after he crashed into the barriers in the final sector of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya while driving the team’s 2023 challenger. The incident disrupted Ferrari’s testing schedule, preventing teammate Charles Leclerc from taking over in the afternoon session as originally planned. Despite the team’s efforts, the necessary repairs could not be completed in time, leaving Leclerc unable to participate.
Initial reports suggest that Hamilton may have been caught out by a bump in the track, which would mean the crash was not entirely his fault. Nevertheless, the accident has impacted his preseason preparations. Formula 1 regulations strictly limit teams to just four days of Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) with their current full-time drivers, and Ferrari has now used up three of those days.
The team is set to return to Barcelona next week for a Pirelli tyre test, which offers them the option of staying an additional day. However, if Ferrari chooses to extend their running, Hamilton will be unable to conduct any further in-season testing unless he drives a car that is at least five years old. While the winter testing period remains the most critical phase for his adaptation, Ferrari had intended to keep one day in reserve for future needs.
Ferrari to adopt radical setup for Hamilton’s tyre test next week
During next week’s Pirelli test, Hamilton will share the track with Leclerc for the first time as a Ferrari driver. The two will be evaluating prototype tyres for the 2026 season while driving the team’s 2023 car, albeit with modifications designed to simulate the expected downforce levels of the new regulations.
To replicate 2026 aerodynamic conditions, Ferrari will employ an extreme low-downforce Monza-style setup, which is an unconventional choice for the Barcelona circuit. Motorsport journalist Rosario Giuliana has described this approach as “unprecedented,” as teams typically run high-downforce wings at this venue to maximize stability through its flowing medium-speed corners.
McLaren has already begun testing the 2026-spec tyres at Paul Ricard in France under wet conditions, where they, too, have opted for reduced downforce. Additionally, the test cars have been made approximately 30 kilograms lighter, which provides a glimpse into the direction F1 is heading with the new regulations. While the session will offer Hamilton a taste of the upcoming era, its relevance to the current season will be limited.
Hamilton addressing a key Ferrari weakness from Carlos Sainz’s final season
So far, Ferrari has been in full control of its testing agenda, carefully managing mileage restrictions while prioritizing their own objectives. One key area of focus for the British driver has been improving race starts, an area where his predecessor Carlos Sainz struggled during the 2024 season. Sainz frequently lost positions relative to his grid slot, prompting the team to consider adjustments to their starting procedure.
However, with next week’s test falling under Pirelli’s jurisdiction, Ferrari will have less freedom to tailor the program to their own needs. Rather than refining the handling characteristics of the car, Lewis Hamilton’s priority will be strengthening his working relationship with Ferrari’s engineering team as he continues to integrate into his new surroundings.
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