Last Updated on February 3 2025, 12:47 pm

Peter Windsor shares insights on Hamilton’s Ferrari test: ‘Curious to see how Leclerc will react’ – In 2025, the most successful Formula One driver in history will join forces with the most iconic team in motorsport. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will drive for Ferrari, following in the footsteps of legends such as Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.

As Hamilton completed his first private test with Ferrari in Barcelona, analyst and former Ferrari and Williams team manager Peter Windsor has reflected on the significance of the milestone. The Briton may have suffered a crash, but Windsor remains optimistic about the overall outcome of the test.

 

 

 

Windsor’s view of the Barcelona test

Peter Windsor, who has extensive experience within Ferrari and maintains close links with the team, has given his insight into Hamilton’s first days behind the wheel of the SF-23.

The Barcelona test was conducted behind closed doors, with both Hamilton and future team-mate Charles Leclerc in attendance. However, Windsor suggests that, despite the secrecy, there is plenty to discuss in terms of Hamilton’s performance.

“At first glance, Lewis Hamilton’s first serious test with Ferrari, which took place last week in Barcelona, doesn’t seem like the ideal introduction,” Windsor said on his YouTube channel.

While the crash towards the end of the test initially raised concerns, Windsor believes it is important to look beyond the headlines and examine what actually happened on track.

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Heavy crash ends Hamilton’s test early

The most notable incident during the test came when Hamilton crashed at high speed coming out of the final corner of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

“The test ended with a big crash coming out of the last corner,” explained Windsor.

“Hamilton crashed at around eleven in the morning and he was only due to drive the morning session. Leclerc was supposed to take over in the afternoon, but because the car was repaired so late, it was getting dark, so Charles had to leave without doing any laps on this final day.”

Hamilton’s crash occurred on a section of the track that has been modified in recent years. Windsor explained the difficulty of the final corner: “The last corner is now a fast right-hander, similar to its original layout before the chicane was temporarily added.

“It’s not a good corner to crash into, although Lewis came through unscathed. From an outsider’s perspective, it might look like a tough first test for Hamilton with his new team.”

But Windsor sees a different side to the story.

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Hamilton’s natural fit at Ferrari

Despite the crash, Windsor believes Hamilton’s test has been overwhelmingly positive.

“My view is that it was a very good test for Lewis,” said the 72-year-old analyst.

“I think all Lewis Hamilton fans should be very happy with the way this test went. Yes, there was a crash, but let’s look at the build-up to that crash and the reasons for it. It had nothing to do with a problem on the track – it was purely about how good Lewis felt in the car and how comfortable he is with the team.”

Windsor insisted that Hamilton appears to be adapting quickly to the Ferrari environment.

“He feels very comfortable in the team. The 2023 Ferrari was not the best car, as we saw last season. It’s the same car that Leclerc put into the wall twice in Miami. That car had a small sweet spot and was difficult to handle. But despite the challenges, Lewis felt better in this Ferrari than he has in recent years with Mercedes.”

It’s a significant change for Hamilton, who has struggled with Mercedes’ ground effect cars since the introduction of the 2022 regulations. Windsor suggests those struggles may now be behind him.

“He hasn’t felt this good since 2021. He needs to feel connected to the car, like it’s part of his DNA. That’s why I think the driver in Lewis took over during the test. He is already incredibly integrated into the Ferrari set-up.”

Confidence has always played a key role in Hamilton’s success and Windsor believes the move to Ferrari will help him rediscover his best form.

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How will Leclerc react?

A major talking point surrounding Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari is how his partnership with Charles Leclerc will develop. Windsor is particularly interested to see how Leclerc reacts to Hamilton’s strong debut.

“Hamilton pushed the car to the limit and enjoyed himself. It will be fascinating to see how Leclerc performs alongside him,” said Windsor.

“In terms of lap times, Hamilton was faster during this test, but that’s to be expected as he did significantly more laps.”

However, Windsor cautions against reading too much into these early comparisons.

“I wonder how Leclerc will react now. There’s no doubt that Lewis is already performing at a high level and fitting into the Ferrari set-up. The big question is how Charles will deal with his emotions. He has to be prepared for Lewis to make a very strong start to the season.”

Nevertheless, Windsor does not dismiss Leclerc’s potential.

“Over the course of a 24-race season, Charles remains Ferrari’s best chance of winning a championship – if the car is competitive enough. Hamilton had a promising test, but the real testing begins later this month with the Pirelli tyre runs in the 2024 Ferrari, followed by the first real look at the 2025 car.”

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The 2025 season and rule changes

Looking ahead, Windsor also touched on the rule changes that could affect the 2025 season.

“The flexible wing regulations are getting tougher, mainly because of the challenges posed by McLaren’s advantage,”  Windsor said.

“You can either develop your own flexible wing solution or try to influence the FIA’s position. In this case, the teams – especially Red Bull – lobbied for stricter rules. Now those regulations have been adjusted.”

Windsor expects the battle at the front to remain fierce.

“Most of the top teams have probably found the limits of these regulations, so this season is going to be very exciting. McLaren has a lot of momentum, but the other top teams may be more consistent.”

He also sees Aston Martin as a wild card. “Aston Martin is an unknown quantity. Adrian Newey is in an interesting position. If the team improves, people will recognise Newey’s influence.

“If they struggle and get stuck in the middle of the pack, he can say ‘this isn’t my car’. Either way, Newey will have an impact, but his role in the development of the 2025 car will be limited.

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Hamilton’s Ferrari journey begins

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is one of the most anticipated storylines of the 2025 season. While his first test ended in a crash, Windsor believes it was ultimately a very productive session that demonstrated Hamilton’s natural affinity for Ferrari.

With the winter testing schedule in Bahrain set to provide further insight, all eyes will be on how Ferrari prepares for the new era with Hamilton and Leclerc leading the way. The battle within Ferrari could be just as compelling as the fight for the championship itself.

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Adrian Newey may well be considered to be the all time great in terms of Formula One car design, yet the F1 genius now proves his breadth of skills are limited as he criticises the FIA cost cap which has brought the field closer than its ever been in F1 history.

On a number of occasions last season in qualifying one all twenty cars were within a second of each other. As a random sample this writer selected the Australian Grand Prix from 2010 to compare the Q1 results to the modern era and it revealed that Sebastian Vettel qualified on pole position whilst the 20th placed driver in the session was a whopping was a tenth for being SIX whole seconds slower than the German in the Red Bull car.

Given this was the year when there were three new – but badly underfunded F1 teams – let’s select the same event but ten years ago in 2016. Lewis Hamilton was the pole sitter, and the gap to P20 remained over four seconds.