Ferrari focuses on two key areas for Lewis Hamilton’s second test in Barcelona

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc continue to find their rhythm after the winter break with additional testing at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit. Ferrari has booked the Spanish Grand Prix circuit for three days of testing with their 2023 car.

Tuesday morning, the team shared a video of Charles Leclerc in action on the track. The exact driving schedule for the two drivers has not been made public, but these tests will provide Lewis Hamilton with crucial mileage before the Bahrain tests scheduled for next month.

Lewis Hamilton completed his first drive in a Ferrari last week at Fiorano. This historic week for the seven-time world champion also saw him visiting Maranello and meeting many team engineers.

His preparations for the new season are intensifying as he becomes familiar with the Ferrari, its workings, and develops a relationship with the mechanics.

What are Ferrari’s areas of focus in Barcelona?

A longer and more conventional circuit like Barcelona allows Ferrari to focus on specific areas. However, with only 1000 km of authorized running in older cars for the entire year, Ferrari will have to manage this allocation carefully.

Lewis Hamilton has already covered 89 km at Fiorano, where the shorter circuit allowed him to complete 30 laps. For this second test in Barcelona, Ferrari is focusing mainly on tire wear and race starts.

Ferrari believes there are areas for improvement regarding their starts, particularly with the clutch.

Although Charles Leclerc was one of the best on the grid in terms of positions gained at the start last year, Ferrari is looking to further optimize acceleration from the starting grid. While drivers control the release of the clutch, the management of the power unit is linked to the hybrid system and its setup.

The tire wear was a strong point for Ferrari last year. However, both drivers are testing the 2023 car, known for its tire overheating issues. This characteristic had helped Ferrari in qualifying but often cost them in the race.

Up close with @charles_leclerc and the SF-23 🔊 pic.twitter.com/m4SjaOT66e

— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 28, 2025