Lewis Hamilton crashes into barrier during Ferrari test, needs repairs
The seven-time world champion was taking part in a private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya when he reportedly crashed into a barrier in the final sector.
Hamilton is still getting used to his new car. Photo: Getty
The 40-year-old, who has signed a mega-deal with Mercedes, was driving the 2023 Ferrari car alongside teammate Charles Leclerc. The pair have already stepped out at the team’s test track in Fiorano, Italy, where hundreds have gathered to catch a glimpse of F1’s most successful driver.
The three-day test is being held behind closed doors but Sky Sports claim there was a minor accident when Hamilton went off track and crashed into a barrier, while Ferrari called it a “normal testing accident”. RacingNews365 also claims the car had suspension and aerodynamic damage and was in need of repairs.
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Hamilton is changing teams for only the second time in his storied career, having spent the previous 12 years with Mercedes. The 2023 car is seen as a good bridge to the new car, as he had a heated argument with the 2024 Mercedes challenger, calling it the worst car he had ever driven.
The Briton is due to return to the Barcelona circuit on Thursday and make his first appearance behind the wheel of the 2025 Challenger on February 19, the day after the London launch.
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Pre-season testing then begins in Bahrain from February 26 to 28, and the season then officially gets underway in Australia with free practice on March 14.
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Before then there’s also a Pirelli tyre test which Ferrari and McLaren are taking part in with their 2024 cars, although it’s unclear whether Hamilton will be driving that day. With the last change from Hamilton, he saw McLaren in 2013 with Mercedes, but he was inspired.
The last change of the Hamilton team saw him became the most successful pilot in history: AFP
In 2008, he won his first world title, and did not finish fourth or higher in the ranking with McLaren in the next four seasons, and did the same thing in the first mission with Mercedes. But they expected the team to adapt to the 2014 rule changes and their hopes were realised in spectacular circumstances, winning six of the next seven championships and setting records for wins and pole positions.
Red Bull finally caught up in 2021, bringing an end to the Mercedes era, but things have changed since then. The German manufacturer failed to push through 2022 aerodynamic rule changes, leaving Hamilton winless for the first time in his career, before doing the same thing again in 2023.
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He did score a few wins last season, but that was after he had already decided his future at Ferrari. The Italian team has outperformed Mercedes in two of the past three seasons and with fewer competitors and Red Bull appearing to be slipping back, there is renewed hope that Hamilton may be able to win a record eighth title with Red Bull.
