P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari is continuing preparations with blockbuster signing Lewis Hamilton ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 campaign with a private test at Barcelona.
Hamilton and Charles Leclerc arrived at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a testing session with Ferrari’s SF-23 machine. Leclerc hit the track first, followed by Hamilton taking over in the afternoon, with plans to swap driving duties on the following day. The three-day program will wrap up on Thursday, with Ferrari’s reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi and academy talent Dino Beganovic getting their turn on the track. The Testing of Previous Car (TPC) rules allow teams to cover up to 1000km across four days in two-year-old cars with full-time drivers. Ferrari is focusing on starts and tire wear performance during this Barcelona session, aiming to enhance clutch deployment and optimize tire temperature in qualifying. The 2023 SF-23 differs from the 2024 car in terms of one-lap pace versus racing conditions, with implications for Hamilton’s acclimatization process to the Ferrari setup. Hamilton faced initial pedal issues at Fiorano, now resolved, as he continues integration with his new team and refines communication with his race engineer ahead of the 2025 season. Further test sessions with Pirelli and McLaren will provide valuable track time for Hamilton beyond the ongoing Barcelona test. The goal remains for Hamilton to adapt quickly and leverage testing opportunities to optimize his performance potential at Ferrari.
