Photos & Recap: Hamilton and Leclerc test for Ferrari in Barcelona

The seven-time F1 world champion, who joins Ferrari for the 2025 season after 12 years with Mercedes, ran in the afternoon session after Charles Leclerc drove in the morning. The test follows Hamilton’s initial outing at Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit, where he completed 30 laps as part of an acclimatisation program.

Ferrari confirmed Hamilton’s focus at Barcelona was on adapting to the car and integrating with the team’s trackside operations. His session allowed him to get comfortable with cockpit ergonomics, including pedal feel and steering wheel settings.

Testing was conducted under F1’s ‘Testing of Previous Cars’ (TPC) regulations, which limit race drivers to 1000 km of running. Ahead of the Barcelona outing, Ferrari had approximately 800 km remaining in its allocation. The team has not disclosed further details of the program but is expected to continue running at the venue over the coming days, weather permitting.

Ferrari will return to Barcelona on 4-5 February for a Pirelli tyre test, where Hamilton is expected to get more mileage in a modified 2024-spec car, though the exact driver schedule remains unconfirmed.

Both Hamilton and Leclerc will sample Ferrari’s 2025 challenger for the first time at Fiorano on 19 February, a day after the official Formula 1 season launch event at The O2 in London.

Meanwhile, at Mercedes, Hamilton's replacement, Kimi Antonelli, passed his driving test, just a few ahead of his Grand Prix debut with the Silver Arrows.