Tense moments at the Barcelona circuit during Ferrari’s second day of testing, as Lewis Hamilton suffered an off-track excursion. The seven-time world champion lost control of his car in the final sector of the Montmeló circuit, crashing into the barriers. Fortunately, Hamilton emerged unscathed, though the SF-23 sustained damage to its suspension and aerodynamic components.
This is not the first time Hamilton has faced an early-season crash with a new team. A similar incident occurred in 2007 during his Formula 1 debut with McLaren, and again in 2013 after joining Mercedes. Now, history repeats itself as he begins his Ferrari journey—once more in Spain, following previous mishaps in Valencia and Jerez, and now in Barcelona.
For Hamilton, this marked his second consecutive day behind the wheel of the 2023 car, following a demonstration run with Ferrari’s 2022 model at Maranello last week. The team has opted for an aggressive approach, ensuring he logs as many laps as possible to familiarize himself with the car’s technology. Next week, he will finally test the 2024 Ferrari in sessions focused on the 2026 tire regulations, offering a more realistic preview of what to expect in the upcoming season. The chase for the world title has officially begun.
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