P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton’s preparations for his debut F1 season with Ferrari continued on Tuesday as he drove the team’s 2023 car at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Lewis Hamilton finally had the chance to drive a Ferrari SF-23 for the first time at the team’s Fiorano track, managing to beat Red Bull’s RB19. This experience allowed Hamilton to familiarize himself with the 2023-spec Ferrari car, following the Testing of Previous Cars rules. He gained valuable insights into the Ferrari power unit compared to his usual Mercedes engine. Hamilton also had the opportunity to work closely with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, enhancing their communication both on and off the track. The testing session, shared with teammate Charles Leclerc, marked the beginning of a three-day exploration for the drivers, although official mileage details were not disclosed by Ferrari. Despite the limited in-season testing regulations, Hamilton is set to drive Ferrari’s SF-24 next week in preparation for the upcoming season. This private outing is expected to be his final test with the team before the pre-season testing in Bahrain. The joint launch of the 2025 car among Ferrari personnel on February 19 will further solidify Hamilton’s integration into the team.
