Lewis Hamilton crashes Ferrari F1 car

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Lewis Hamilton has suffered his first crash in a Ferrari F1 car after sending a 2023 model Ferrari into the barriers at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain.

The 40-year-old was not injured in the incident, which saw Hamilton head off track into the barriers towards the end of a lap at the Spanish track, damaging the car he was due to hand over to team-mate Charles Leclerc.

The team has not yet shared the cause of the seven-time world champion's accident, but according to the official Formula One (F1) site – Formulaone.com – Ferrari is not deeply concerned about it.

Suspension and body damage was enough to sideline the Ferrari SF-23 – a version of the 2023 Ferrari being driven under 'Testing of Previous Cars' (TPC) regulations allowing active drivers to complete up to 1000km in non-current cars.

MORE: Lewis Hamilton drives Ferrari F1 car for first time – 'Best feeling of my life'

The crash also prevented Hamilton's Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc from taking over driving duties as planned for the afternoon.

Hamilton is expected to drive the 2023 Ferrari again next week at the same circuit for an official test for F1 tyre supplier Pirelli.

He will drive the new 2025 Ferrari for the first time on 19 February in a shakedown at the team's Fiorano circuit in Italy as part of the team's official season launch.

After a euphoric arrival at the Italian team – having defected to Ferrari after 18 seasons driving Mercedes-Benz powered cars – Hamilton's first turn behind the wheel of a Ferrari took place at the team's Fiorano test track in Italy on 22 January.

The British driver's arrival included a symbolic photo of him outside founder Enzo Ferrari's home with a Ferrari F40 road car – the last Ferrari production model signed off by the iconic leader before he died in 1988.

MORE: Lewis Hamilton's first day at Ferrari F1

Within hours, the image became the most liked Instagram post in F1 history, currently sitting at 5.6 million likes.

The first all-in test for the entire 2025 field is scheduled for 26-28 February at Bahrain, following a promotional season launch in London on 18 February.

It will include a number of rookies embarking on their first full F1 season including Australian driver Jack Doohan, who will drive for Alpine, making it two Australians on the grid with Oscar Piastri at McLaren.

New Zealand driver Liam Lawson will also line-up as world champion Max Verstappen's new team-mate at Red Bull for 2025, replacing Sergio Perez at the team, Lawson beating a hopeful Daniel Ricciardo to the coveted seat.

The first race of the season will be the 2025 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne, on 14-16 March.

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