More test running for Hamilton
25.01.25
While Lewis Hamilton completed his first lap in the morning, he handed over the 2023 F1 Ferrari to his new team-mate Charles Leclerc in the afternoon. Despite the foggy weather, it was interesting that the British and the Monegasque drivers only completed a total of 131km - 89km with Hamilton and 42km with Leclerc.
The sport's governing body, the FIA introduced a restriction for this year, limiting teams to only a total of 1000km under the rule that is referred to as Testing of Previous Cars. This allows teams to use two-year-old cars, but the new rule introduced a maximum length of 1000km and a duration of 20 days for each team while regular drivers are allowed to take part in TPC runs only on four days during a calendar year.
This restriction explains why Ferrari elected to limit its running on Wednesday when the weather conditions were far from ideal.
According to AutoRacer.it, Ferrari will travel to Barcelona to perform a more extensive test programme next week. In fact, some of the mechanics have already arrived in Spain to prepare the garages and the SF-23 for the running.
It is believed that the three-day programme will take place on January 28, 29 and 30, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton sharing driving duties across the three days. The two drivers are believed to have carried out work in the simulator after the Wednesday running at Fiorano, and are expected to arrive at Barcelona on Monday.
Following the three-day TPC running, Ferrari will remain in Montmelo to take part in the Pirelli tyre test. That running will see McLaren also join Ferrari at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya where Pirelli will try out its 2026 products.
The tyre test will mark the first time that Hamilton drives the 2024 F1 Ferrari, the SF-24 as teams are allowed to use their most actual cars during tyre testing.
The 2026-spec tyres will continue to feature 18-inch rims, but the front tyres will be 25mm narrower while the rears will be reduced by 30mm in width compared to the 2025 tyres.
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