A thousand kilometers in 4 days. That is what Lewis Hamilton may have at his disposal to get acclimated to Ferrari’s working strategies earlier than the revealing of the 2025 automotive (subsequent February 19) and the extraordinary schedule that can comply with, together with a filming day and three days of collective testing in Bahrain.
In Maranello, they’ve deliberate a “versatile” testing program to make sure the absolute best climate situations given the constraints of January. The purpose is to safe check days with acceptable monitor situations to finish the long-planned work.
The extremely anticipated debut of the seven-time world champion behind the wheel of a Ferrari (both the 2022 or 2023 automotive) is scheduled on the Fiorano circuit, with the date doubtlessly shifting (relying on climate situations) between January 20 and 21.
Based on info gathered by Motorsport.com, the testing program will proceed within the closing days of January on the Barcelona circuit, with the hope of discovering milder temperatures. Right here too, Ferrari has secured a multi-day window (at the very least 4 days) to reschedule the check in case of unhealthy climate. This measure was deemed crucial on account of new rules regarding TPC (Testing of Earlier Automobiles), referring to exams with automobiles used at the very least two seasons previous to the present one.
On December 11, the FIA revealed a brand new model of the sporting rules with a number of updates, together with a paragraph regulating TPC exams. Clause ‘g’ of Article 10.2 introduces new limits: if a TPC check is carried out by a driver collaborating within the F1 World Championship, they’re topic to restrictions on distance and period. A most distance of 1,000 kilometers per calendar 12 months has been launched, which may solely be accomplished over a most of 4 check days. For drivers not registered within the F1 World Championship, the check days improve to twenty, with no mileage limits.
For Lewis Hamilton, each lap shall be essential, particularly now that mileage has been capped. The restriction launched by the FIA adopted complaints raised final 12 months by some groups after exams carried out throughout the guidelines however outdoors the spirit of the rules.
One of the crucial mentioned instances was a check day organized final June by Pink Bull on the Imola circuit, the place Max Verstappen took to the monitor with the 2022 automotive for some technical checks, clashing with the unique objective of TPC exams: to supply a chance for drivers needing to familiarize themselves with the dealing with of an F1 automotive and dealing strategies.
The 1,000 kilometers allowed by the rules present a driver the possibility to acclimate and turn into conversant in the working system, a state of affairs relevant to Lewis Hamilton in addition to any driver getting ready to debut with a brand new crew.
Lewis Hamilton may have 4 days wherein the crew will do its utmost to facilitate his integration, after which, ranging from the primary check day in Bahrain with the 2025 automotive, the main focus will shift to efficiency.