Hamilton and Leclerc ramp up 2025 F1 preparations in Barcelona

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were in action at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Tuesday as Ferrari ramped upits preparations for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The Scuderia has booked the Spanish venue this week for three days of testing behind closed doors, with Hamilton and Leclerc running onboard the Italian outfit’s 2023-spec car in accordance with F1’s Testing of Previous Cars regulations.

This Barcelona test marks a significant step in Hamilton's integration with Ferrari. Following his initial acclimatization run at Fiorano last week, this week’s sessions allow the Briton to delve deeper into the team's operations.

A key focus of the test is Hamilton's growing familiarity with Ferrari's procedures and his developing working relationship with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami.

The test provides valuable track time for team and driver to optimize their communication and collaboration.

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A crucial aspect of Hamilton's preparation involves getting to grips with the intricacies of the Ferrari engine. Having spent his entire F1 career driving Mercedes-powered cars, he now faces the challenge of mastering a new power unit.

Modern F1 engines, complex 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrids with sophisticated energy recovery systems, require drivers to adapt to and manage numerous settings and modes.

On Tuesday, Leclerc was on track during the morning session, handing over the reins to Hamilton in the afternoon.

Ferrari is keeping the details of its three-day test program in Spain confidential, but the sessions must adhere to mileage restrictions.

Current full-time F1 drivers may test for a maximum of 1,000km (621 miles) in previous years' cars, with the 2023 car being the most recent machine allowed for such tests.

Ferrari will officially unveil its 2025 contender on February 19th in Maranello. But Hamilton and Leclerc will immediately get a first taste of the new car at Fiorano.

The team will then head to Bahrain for F1's official pre-season test from February 26th to 28th.

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