Barcelona test: Lewis Hamilton studies "trailing throttle" amid Ferrari driving methods
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Ferrari has therefore putting in the work in Barcelona with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. On Tuesday, on the first day of this three-day session at the beautiful Montmelò circuit, the Scuderia's drivers took turns behind the wheel of the SF-23. The Prancing Horse booked the Spanish track to take advantage of TPC sessions, tests regulated by the International Federation, where several rules must be followed. These concern the car to be used, the software, the tires supplied specifically by Pirelli, and the limited mileage.
In this context, we cannot simply talk about mere training—it would be far too reductive. Without a doubt, the restrictions imposed by the FIA make the job of an F1 team considerably more complicated. That is true. Nevertheless, there are various factors that can be examined and, as such, prove very useful for the cause. On Tuesday morning, Charles Leclerc focused part of his session on studying the tires. We covered this topic in detail in a dedicated article because, although the tires are different, some insights can still be drawn.
Moreover, there was a comparison regarding data collection with the simulator, a crucial tool in modern F1 for assessing the accuracy of its correlation with real-world conditions. This was part of the work carried out by the Monegasque, who also regained some of the confidence lost over the past months in on-track action. A very useful training session in several respects, as he prepares for the true debut at the Bahrain pre-season tests, where the new car will be unveiled—hopefully showcasing its excellent fundamental characteristics in the Middle East.
The situation was slightly different for the seven-time F1 world champion. The driver from Stevenage is a veteran of the sport's top category, with two decades of experience in single-seaters. However, he can still be considered a "rookie" when it comes to his knowledge of Ferrari—both in terms of its cars and the unique approach of the historic Italian team. Therefore, he needs to go through a learning curve that will provide him with the foundation to compete with the Scuderia. Lewis is fully committed to this process.
On Tuesday afternoon, during Ferrari's second session, it was his turn to take to the track. The British driver completed multiple runs, always at the wheel of the SF-23. According to information gathered by the Italian media, Hamilton's baseline setup differed slightly from Leclerc's. The overall downforce level was the same but distributed differently. Hamilton's driving style is not a “copy and paste” of Leclerc's. There are similarities, sure, but some aspects are distinctly different between the two.
First of all, the British driver's handling is very smooth, resembling that of former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. The ex-Mercedes driver also prefers a very stable rear end, whereas Charles, on several occasions, has shown he can manage a more nervous rear if the benefits outweigh the downsides. During his laps, in addition to simulating a typical race weekend work program, Lewis paid particular attention to braking phases. He specifically focused on trail-braking, a necessary technique used by all F1 drivers.
In the case of the British driver, it was important to deepen his initial approach to Brembo brakes. This involves a precise braking technique: applying heavy pressure on the pedal before gradually releasing it as the car enters the corner. At the same time, Hamilton studied the "trailing throttle" to further stabilize the car with a slight amount of throttle open. Charles is a true master of this technique, frequently using it in many qualifying sessions last season. Weight distribution in corners is crucial and was part of Lewis's training.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion also worked on the car's setup and practice starts. The start system is different from Mercedes', with a distinct use of the paddles located at the rear of the steering wheel. Additionally, he trained on the various power unit modes, including engine mapping for the internal combustion engine and the hybrid system of Ferrari's power unit, designated 066/12. At the end of his second day driving a Ferrari, Hamilton was once again satisfied.
The feedback provided to the team was highly positive as he looks forward to testing the SF-24 next week, followed by runs with the latest piece of aero-mechanical engineering from the Maranello squad. The full trackside team was not present, but remote support from Maranello was available.
— see video above —
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