AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

David Coulthard Explains Why Lewis Hamilton Crashed in Private Ferrari Test: ‘It’s Simple’

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
February 7, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur Reveals Emotional Reason Behind Hamilton’s First Fiorano Outing

Formula One F1 - Lewis Hamilton drives a Ferrari F1 car around the Fiorano circuit as part of the TPC tests - Fiorano Circuit, Fiorano Modenese near Maranello, Italy - January 22, 2025 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton during testing REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

David Coulthard has weighed in on Lewis Hamilton’s private Ferrari test crash, offering a straightforward theory as to why the seven-time World Champion ended up in the barriers.

The 40-year-old Brit completed his first Ferrari test at Fiorano in January, a historic moment that saw fans and media eagerly watching from afar as Hamilton suited up in red for the first time. But it was his second test at Barcelona—a behind-closed-doors session with Ferrari’s 2023 SF-23—that sparked headlines when Hamilton crashed in the final sector of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

While Hamilton emerged completely unscathed, the accident damaged the car’s suspension and aero components and cut short Charles Leclerc’s running for the day. Now, Coulthard believes the explanation is much simpler than people think.

Coulthard: Mercedes-to-Ferrari Engine Change ‘Caught Hamilton Out’

Speaking on the Formula for Success podcast, Coulthard suggested that Hamilton’s crash wasn’t a sign of decline—instead, it was a case of adjusting to Ferrari’s power unit after years of driving a Mercedes hybrid engine.

“I see it as simply as this,” Coulthard explained.
“He has to get used to the control systems in that Ferrari, the power delivery.”

With modern F1 cars running complex hybrid systems, Coulthard emphasized that each team’s power unit delivers energy differently—and Hamilton, after spending over a decade with Mercedes’ system, was simply caught out by Ferrari’s unique hybrid torque delivery.

“They’re dealing with hybrid engines, so it’s not the natural torque acceleration of an internal combustion engine. Electrical energy comes in like that.”
“And I suspect he’s so embedded in his mind about the Mercedes hybrid F1 engine that he was simply caught out.”

Brundle’s Take: Has Hamilton ‘Lost an Edge’ with Age?

While Coulthard chalks the incident up to adjusting to Ferrari’s car, other pundits have raised questions about Hamilton’s form heading into his 19th F1 season.

F1 analyst Martin Brundle recently suggested that the seven-time champion may have lost an edge with age, adding further scrutiny to Hamilton’s Ferrari transition at 40 years old.

However, Coulthard was quick to shut down any overreaction to the crash, pointing out that even the greatest drivers have off days.

“Much was made overnight about his recent test in Barcelona,” Coulthard said.
“He had a small off there—any small off you can call a crash. Going off is an occupational hazard.”
“It doesn’t matter if you were the late great Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, or the current Ferrari driver, Lewis Hamilton. We can all have an off at any certain point.”

Hamilton Bounces Back in Pirelli Tyre Test

Following the Barcelona crash, Hamilton was back in action just days later for Ferrari’s latest outing at the Pirelli tyre test, where he completed 74 laps, matching teammate Charles Leclerc’s total.

While Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari is still in its early stages, one thing is clear: he’s far from slowing down. If anything, the crash might just be a bump in the road—one that he’ll be determined to turn into motivation for his 2025 campaign.

Share224Tweet140Send

Related Posts

Aston Martin’s Adrian Newey Unveils Terrifying Changes in F1 2026 Regulations
Motorsports

Aston Martin’s Adrian Newey Unveils Terrifying Changes in F1 2026 Regulations

Adrian Newey, the mastermind behind Aston Martin's Formula 1 team, has sounded the alarm for the 2026 season. With major...

by Harry Stone
May 14, 2025
Mercedes Unveils Historic Livery for Triumphant Return to Le Mans After 26 Years
Motorsports

Mercedes Unveils Historic Livery for Triumphant Return to Le Mans After 26 Years

Mercedes Shock the Racing World with Historic Le Mans Comeback In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through the...

by David Castro
May 14, 2025
FIA President Enlists Powerhouse Returnee to Revolutionize World Championships
Motorsports

Power Struggle: FIA President’s Controversial Bid for Total Control Shocks Motorsport World

FIA President Sparks Outrage with Power Grab Attempt In a shocking turn of events, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem is...

by David Castro
May 14, 2025
Unveiling the Future Stars of Formula 1: Williams’ Thrilling Early Careers Program!
Motorsports

Williams Boss Unleashes Bold Support for Franco Colapinto Amid Alpine Chaos

Williams Boss Supports Franco Colapinto Amid Alpine's Turbulent Times In a shocking turn of events at Alpine, Williams boss James...

by Arthur Ling
May 14, 2025

Recent News

Volkswagen, Audi e Porsche vão adotar a norma de carregamento elétrico da Tesla

AIE: sales of electric cars will continue to increase.

May 14, 2025

Stellantis suspends plan to restructure dealer network in Europe.

May 14, 2025
Incêndio destrói 17 veículos da Tesla em Itália

Tesla’s president sells €177 million in shares over six months.

May 14, 2025
SU7: primeiro elétrico da Xiaomi chega em 2024 com autonomia até 800 km

“Pre-orders for the Xiaomi SU7 plummet in China.”

May 14, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks
x