Lewis Hamilton experienced a minor crash during his second test drive as a Ferrari driver on Wednesday, January 29. The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion was testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya when the incident took place.
Hamilton made the switch to Ferrari from Mercedes after the 2024 season, marking a significant change in his career. The 40-year-old athlete was driving alongside his teammate Charles Leclerc when he went off track and collided with the barriers. Both drivers were testing Ferrari’s 2023 model at the time of the crash.
This 2023 car is seen as a helpful step for Hamilton as he prepares for the 2025 season. Reports indicate that while he emerged uninjured from the crash, the car did sustain some damage to its suspension and aerodynamics. Ferrari labeled the event as a “normal testing incident.”
Earlier, both Hamilton and Leclerc had their first outing at the team’s test track in Fiorano, Italy, where fans came out in large numbers to see Hamilton donning Ferrari colors. The ongoing three-day test in Barcelona is closed to the public, but Hamilton is expected to return to the track on Thursday, January 30, as he gears up for this new chapter with the prestigious team.
Hamilton’s next opportunity in a Ferrari will be on February 19, following a launch event in London. Pre-season testing is scheduled to take place in Bahrain from February 26 to 28, ahead of the season opener at the Australian Grand Prix on March 14.
The last time Hamilton switched teams was in 2013 when he left McLaren to join Mercedes, a decision that greatly benefited his career and solidified his status as one of the greatest drivers in history. Now, both Hamilton and Ferrari are aiming to achieve significant success in the upcoming season as they strive to regain their former glory.
