Lewis Hamilton CRASHES in second test with Ferrari since £100m deal as incident causes ‘serious damage’ and long delay

LEWIS HAMILTON has crashed during Ferrari testing in Barcelona.

The seven-time Formula One world champion has been preparing for the new season by getting to grips with his new Ferrari hardware.

After his initial introduction at Maranello last week, Hamilton got behind the wheel for the first time at the Scuderia’s facility at Fiorano, where he completed 30 laps.

However, during his second test run at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Hamilton did not fare as well.

It is understood the 40-year-old suffered a minor crash after he went off at the final part of the circuit – including two high-speed right-hand corners – while driving the 2023 Ferrari F1 car.

The damage to the suspension of the car and some aerodynamic parts is said to be “significant”, but thankfully Hamilton is reported to have no injuries and is completely fine.

Hamilton was driving the morning session for testing in the SF-23, while team-mate Charles Leclerc was set to gear up for the afternoon running, though the crash is set to delay the Monegasque’s session.

The pair shared testing duties during testing on Tuesday.

F1 teams are heavily restricted in how much testing they can do with older car models, with just four days per year permitted.

Testing restrictions dictate that current race drivers can complete a maximum of 1,000km (621 miles) of what is known as TPC (testing of previous cars) running.

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According to BBC Sport, Ferrari are giving no specific details of the crash but will reveal their 2025 challenger on February 19.

Despite a crash never being a good thing, it may actually be a good omen for Hamilton’s title chances.

Hamilton suffered testing crashes in his debut seasons with both McLaren in 2007 and Mercedes in 2013 before he would then go on to win the title in his second season in both cars.

And if history repeats itself, Hamilton would be en route to win his eighth world title in 2026 – the season the new regulations hit the sport.

Hamilton is just the 13th British driver to take the wheel at Ferrari and the second to do so permanently in the 21st century.

The last Briton to drive for the Scuderia full-time was Eddie Irvine from 1999 to 2002.

However, the last title won by a Brit in scarlet red came more than 60 years ago with John Surtees in 1964.

After floundering form at Mercedes, Hamilton stunned the world this time last year by revealing he had agreed to quit Mercedes at the end of the season to join Ferrari in a £100million deal.

While Hamilton’s base salary is said to be worth £50m a season, his overall contract once sponsorships and bonuses are included is reported to be worth a staggering £363m.

After being revealed in Ferrari colours last week, Hamilton said on Instagram: “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red.

“I couldn’t be happier to realise that dream today. Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.”

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk