Just In – Lewis Hamilton breakthrough as Ferrari’s Barcelona test plan emerges – reports

Ferrari Resolves Lewis Hamilton’s Pedal Issues Ahead of Barcelona Test

Ferrari has reportedly fixed the pedal problems that troubled Lewis Hamilton during his initial test with the team, just in time for the second round of pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

    Hamilton’s First Ferrari Test Revealed Adjustment Issues

Nearly a year after confirming his switch from Mercedes, Hamilton completed his first laps as a Ferrari driver last week at Fiorano. The seven-time World Champion ran 30 laps in the SF-23, previously driven by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, in wet conditions.

However, trackside reports indicated that Hamilton struggled with the car’s pedals, experimenting with various settings but failing to find a comfortable position. These issues led to minor errors, including a lock-up and running wide at Fiorano’s first corner and hairpin.

    Ferrari Engineers Work to Resolve Pedal Problems

As Ferrari moved its pre-season preparations to Barcelona, reports from *Auto Racer* confirmed that Hamilton’s pedal adjustments were successfully completed, requiring “a lot of work” from Ferrari’s engineering team in the short period between tests.

With the pedal concerns resolved, Ferrari is now expected to focus on further adapting the car to Hamilton’s preferences. The team is reportedly evaluating adjustments to his steering wheel, which was initially based on Leclerc’s setup at Fiorano. Customizing the wheel’s button layout and switches will likely be the next step in fine-tuning Hamilton’s comfort in the car.

       Ferrari’s Focus Areas for Barcelona Testing

Alongside addressing Hamilton’s car setup, Ferrari is prioritizing improvements in tyre management and race starts during its Barcelona testing. According to *Motorsport.com Italia*, the team aims to analyze tyre behavior under different preparation lap speeds, temperatures, and pressures.

New Ferrari technical director Loic Serra, who previously worked closely with Hamilton at Mercedes, is playing a key role in this area. Serra’s expertise in vehicle dynamics, particularly suspension components, is expected to enhance Ferrari’s understanding of tyre performance.

Additionally, Ferrari’s electronics team is refining its race start strategies, focusing on clutch response and acceleration from a standstill. Hamilton was already seen practicing starts at Fiorano, indicating that this is an area of emphasis for the Scuderia.

   Hamilton Set for Pirelli Tyre Test in Barcelona

Following the three-day test in Barcelona, Ferrari will remain at the circuit for a two-day Pirelli tyre test next week. Under F1 regulations, teams can only use cars older than two years for Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions. However, Hamilton and Leclerc will be permitted to drive a modified “mule” version of the SF-24 to assist Pirelli in developing its 2026 tyres.

This mule car is designed to simulate the higher downforce and hybrid power characteristics of the next-generation F1 regulations, which will introduce increased electrification, sustainable fuels, and active aerodynamics.

With Ferrari making rapid adjustments to suit Hamilton’s driving style, all eyes will be on how the British driver adapts as he prepares for his first season in red.