Hamilton blocked from Ferrari testing over new ‘Verstappen rule’
Ferrari’s Testing of Previous Cars Comes to a Close for Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton’s testing sessions with Ferrari for the 2025 season have concluded after he utilized the maximum of four days allowed under the current regulations, as he familiarized himself with the team’s procedures using the SF-23 model.
Throughout the lead-up to Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari, both parties took advantage of Formula 1’s Testing of Previous Car (TPC) regulations. These rules permit current drivers to test older cars under specific constraints.
Regulatory Changes and Policing of TPC Days
Hamilton first tested a Ferrari F1 car at Fiorano’s private circuit on February 23. A week later, he participated in sessions at Barcelona alongside his new teammate Charles Leclerc. His running was cut short after a crash on the second day. Later, during a Pirelli tyre test at Barcelona involving a modified SF-24 to aid tyre development for 2026, Ferrari also provided Hamilton with a chance to drive the SF-23.
It was during the afternoon of Hamilton’s fourth day testing the SF-23, after Leclerc’s third day, that he completed his assigned mileage. Under the current TPC rules, drivers are limited to 1,000 km of testing over four days using older machinery.
These regulations underwent modifications last year following complaints from Ferrari and other teams about Red Bull’s use of the 2022 car for Verstappen’s testing, which was seen as a development breakthrough. The FIA clarified rules governing TPC activities, especially regarding the engagement of current championship drivers versus non-regular drivers or reserve drivers.
Teams now face stricter mileage caps for drivers testing older cars, aiming to prevent excessive development outside standard testing periods. In Hamilton’s case, after hitting the four-day limit, he cannot perform further TPC sessions with the SF-23.
Ferrari still has a remaining day with Leclerc and additional days allocated to reserve drivers Antonio Giovinazzi and Zhou Guanyu, following the rule allowance of 20 TPC days annually for non-championship drivers.