Lewis Hamilton escaped unharmed after crashing his Ferrari car during an F1 test in Barcelona on Wednesday.
The seven-time F1 world champion, who has moved to the Italian outfit after 12 years with Mercedes, is taking part in a behind-closed-doors test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this week.
Yet on Wednesday morning, driving the 2023 SF-23 car for just the third time, Hamilton lost control in the final sector of the 4.6km circuit and crashed into the barriers.
While the 40-year-old was unhurt, the car’s suspension and aerodynamic parts were badly damaged, according to a report from the Italian branch of Motorsport.com.
The crash has delayed Charles Leclerc’s testing stint this afternoon.
Ferrari have booked out the Spanish circuit - home to the Spanish Grand Prix this year - for three days of TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) running this week, with no public access or publication of lap times.
Hamilton, 40, received a rapturous reception in Maranello last week as his two-year contract at Ferrari began.
Hamilton received a tour of Ferrari HQ, drove the 2023 car around the team’s in-house Fiorano circuit and greeted thousands of fans watching on in the industrial Italian town.
The Brit completed 30 laps of the Fiorano circuit, clocking up 89km of driving, as he looked to dial in with the car’s handling and characteristics.
Hamilton is scheduled to take part in a Pirelli tyre test on the 4th and 5th of February at the same Barcelona track, as part of the tyre manufacturer’s 2026 development programme. McLaren are also set to take part in this test.
After that, Hamilton could feature in more private tests for Ferrari in Fiorano before the official three-day pre-season testing takes place in Bahrain from 26-28 February.
The first race of the 2025 season takes place a fortnight later in Australia on 16 March.
Hamilton is expected to appear at the 10-team season launch event, F1 75 Live, at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday 18 February. Ferrari officially launch their 2025 car a day later.
