Not just Fiorano: Ferrari prepares another test for Lewis Hamilton
01/04/2025 01:09 PM
A thousand kilometers in four days. This is what Lewis Hamilton will have at his disposal to get acclimated to Ferrari’s working methods before the unveiling of the 2025 car (next February 19) and the intense schedule that will follow, including a filming day and three days of collective testing in Bahrain.
In Maranello, they have planned a “flexible” testing program to ensure the best possible weather conditions given the limitations of January. The goal is to secure test days with acceptable track conditions to complete the long-planned work.
The highly anticipated debut of the seven-time world champion behind the wheel of a Ferrari (either the 2022 or 2023 car) is scheduled at the Fiorano circuit, with the date potentially shifting (depending on weather conditions) between January 20 and 21.
According to information gathered by Motorsport.com, the testing program will continue in the final days of January at the Barcelona circuit, with the hope of finding milder temperatures. Here too, Ferrari has secured a multi-day window (at least four days) to reschedule the test in case of bad weather. This measure was deemed necessary due to new regulations concerning TPC (Testing of Previous Cars), referring to tests with cars used at least two seasons prior to the current one.
On December 11, the FIA published a new version of the sporting regulations with several updates, including a paragraph regulating TPC tests. Clause ‘g’ of Article 10.2 introduces new limits: if a TPC test is conducted by a driver participating in the F1 World Championship, they are subject to restrictions on distance and duration. A maximum distance of 1,000 kilometers per calendar year has been introduced, which can only be completed over a maximum of four test days. For drivers not registered in the F1 World Championship, the test days increase to twenty, with no mileage limits.
For Lewis Hamilton, every lap will be crucial, especially now that mileage has been capped. The restriction introduced by the FIA followed complaints raised last year by some teams after tests conducted within the rules but outside the spirit of the regulations.
One of the most discussed cases was a test day organized last June by Red Bull at the Imola circuit, where Max Verstappen took to the track with the 2022 car for some technical checks, clashing with the original purpose of TPC tests: to offer an opportunity for drivers needing to familiarize themselves with the handling of an F1 car and working methods.
The 1,000 kilometers allowed by the regulations provide a driver the chance to acclimate and become familiar with the working system, a scenario applicable to Lewis Hamilton as well as any driver preparing to debut with a new team.
Lewis Hamilton will have four days in which the team will do its utmost to facilitate his integration, after which, starting from the first test day in Bahrain with the 2025 car, the focus will shift to performance.
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