Lewis Hamilton found loophole in F1 regulations to exploit Ferrari battery during private test

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Lewis Hamilton made a breakthrough with Ferrari’s F1 engine during a private test at Fiorano, according to a report.

Hamilton is currently enjoying his best run of form in years, having followed up consecutive second-place finishes in Canada and Monaco with a first Ferrari victory in Barcelona.

The consensus in the paddock was that Hamilton would benefit from this year’s regulation changes because the handling characteristics of the ground-effect cars didn’t suit him. But to do so, he still needed to master the most complex power units F1 has ever seen.

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Lewis Hamilton made crucial realisation about Ferrari battery at Fiorano

Back in April, during the enforced break in the season, Ferrari carried out a wet tyre test for Pirelli at their private Fiorano circuit.

Aside from filming days and mileage in previous cars, in-season testing isn’t allowed in F1 for full-time drivers. These Pirelli sessions are supposed to be a data-gathering exercise for the sport’s tyre supplier.

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But Ferrari saw an opportunity that they could exploit. According to Corriere della Sera, the Scuderia used the running to work on the energy deployment from their battery.

It’s said that Hamilton made a ‘significant’ breakthrough, learning to be ‘more efficient’ on corner exits. In the first three races, he was guilty of ‘overloading the rear axle’ and inducing wheel spin.

Ferrari ‘invested significantly’ in what Lewis Hamilton wanted for 2026 car

The report also details how Ferrari’s handling philosophy is partly tailored to Hamilton.

While teammate Charles Leclerc can still be fast while making ‘constant steering corrections’, Hamilton needs a ‘predictable car’ without ‘sudden instability’ to thrive.

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That’s why the team decided to ‘invest significantly’ in improving their rear downforce this year, with an innovative exhaust winglet at the centre of their efforts.

Hamilton is visibly more confident behind the wheel, and it seems the team’s upgrades have only taken the car further in his desired direction.