Why Ferrari used extreme rear wing on Lewis Hamilton's SF24 during Pirelli F1 tyre test
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Lewis Hamilton Gets Early Ferrari Experience in Pirelli Tyre Test at Barcelona
Lewis Hamilton has wasted no time in getting accustomed to Ferrari machinery, turning his first laps for the Scuderia at last week's Pirelli tyre test in Barcelona. The seven-time world champion is preparing for his highly anticipated 2025 switch and has already racked up significant mileage in his new environment.
Transitioning from Mercedes after 12 years, the 40-year-old has had to quickly adapt to an entirely new team, car, and operational structure. As part of Formula 1's *Testing of Previous Cars* (TPC) programme, Hamilton was given the chance to drive Ferrari's 2023 SF-23 at Fiorano, where over a thousand fans gathered to witness his debut in red. His first on-track outings have included both private testing and participation in the official Pirelli tyre programme.
During the Barcelona test, Hamilton suffered an early setback when he crashed at Turn 12 while lapping in the SF-23. However, this did not deter him from getting back behind the wheel, and by Wednesday, he was once again driving for Ferrari at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. This time, he joined forces with his future teammate Charles Leclerc for Pirelli's 2026 tyre test, which required them to run a modified version of Ferrari's 2024-spec car.
Ferrari Introduced 'Extreme' Aerodynamic Changes for the Pirelli 2026 Tyre Test
Hamilton's first taste of Ferrari's 2024 challenger came with a unique twist—Ferrari made extensive modifications to the car to help simulate the 2026 regulation changes. It was the first instance of Pirelli testing its future tyres on a current-generation car adapted to resemble the upcoming engine and chassis regulations.
As part of this test, Ferrari introduced a radical alteration to the car's aerodynamics. According to *The Race*, the Scuderia fitted Hamilton's car with an unusually aggressive rear wing, described as a “quite extreme” departure from standard configurations. While Ferrari had previously opted for a high-downforce rear wing at the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix, the car used for the tyre test featured a much lower-downforce version—similar to the setup they employed at Monza, known for its high-speed characteristics.
In addition to the rear wing changes, Ferrari also made notable modifications to the front wing to further reduce downforce levels. The revised front wing was based on the version used during the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, where Carlos Sainz secured a podium finish in third place, with Charles Leclerc finishing fourth. The combination of these aerodynamic changes was aimed at mirroring some of the anticipated characteristics of the 2026 regulations while also assisting Pirelli's ongoing development of future tyres.
Lewis Hamilton 1.788s Off Charles Leclerc's Pace in Barcelona Test
Despite the significant setup changes, Ferrari's tyre test results were far from reflective of true performance. Leclerc clocked the fastest lap of the session with a time of 1:14.971, while Hamilton's quickest effort was a 1:16.759—placing him 1.788 seconds behind his teammate.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri also participated in the test, recording a best lap of 1:15.815. However, as with all tyre tests, lap times hold little significance due to the unknown variables of fuel loads, tyre compounds, and specific test run objectives. Even so, these times were faster than some of the laps set during the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix.
For reference, Lando Norris took the fastest lap of the race in Barcelona last year with a 1:17.115, while the Monegasque’s best lap for Ferrari was a 1:17.897. During qualifying, Charles Leclerc's best effort in Q3 was a 1:11.731—far quicker than the times posted in the tyre test but achieved under entirely different conditions.
While the raw lap times from the test may not tell the full story, Hamilton's early outings in Ferrari machinery have given him a valuable head start in adapting to his new surroundings. With more tests and simulator sessions ahead, the Briton is laying the groundwork for what could be a defining season in 2025.
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