Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have wrapped up their two-day stint on the Pirelli tyre check in Barcelona, the place the newly-formed Ferrari duo had been testing the 2026 tyres on the Spanish Grand Prix venue.
On Tuesday, Lewis Hamilton took to the observe within the morning earlier than handing over to Charles Leclerc within the afternoon. They had been joined by McLaren’s Lando Norris, and all Ferrari drivers continued their testing on Wednesday. The Maranello staff is utilizing an “unprecedented” setup for this occasion, deviating from the same old configuration for the historically high-downforce circuit, recognized for its lengthy collection of medium-to-high-speed corners.
On the request of Pirelli, Ferrari modified their automotive setup by stripping away downforce. This adjustment was made to simulate the following era of F1 vehicles, reflecting the upcoming technical modifications within the sport. In consequence, Hamilton’s preliminary expertise with the SF-24 was not like any typical testing session and might not be totally consultant of what the automotive will likely be like in race circumstances. Pirelli dictates the testing program and doesn’t disclose to groups which particular prototype tyres they’re utilizing in the course of the check.
The British driver’s low season testing program started with a session at Fiorano on January 22 earlier than shifting on to Montmelo for a TPC run within the 2023 automotive. He suffered a crash throughout testing final week however appeared to have a a lot smoother session on Tuesday morning.
On the primary day of the check, Motorsport Italy reported that Hamilton was barely sooner than Leclerc. The observe was fairly busy, with Alpine working a separate TPC program with Jack Doohan. There have been no points for both Ferrari driver, who managed a mixed complete of 173 laps—87 for Hamilton and 86 for Leclerc. Hamilton set a quickest time of 1:15.93, whereas Leclerc’s finest was 1:16.06. Whereas particulars on the observe circumstances, tyre compounds, and run plans weren’t made accessible, these outcomes may bode effectively for Hamilton’s efficiency shifting ahead.
McLaren’s Norris accomplished a powerful 159 laps within the title-winning MCL60 and set a time of 1:15.21, surpassing each Ferrari drivers, though once more, the total context of his run stays unclear.
There was additionally some intrigue surrounding Ferrari’s resolution to convey two completely different vehicles to the Barcelona check. This resolution adopted Hamilton’s accident, which disrupted their run plan the earlier week. Regardless of this, Hamilton’s efficiency at Fiorano, the place he was sooner than Leclerc—although rain restricted the importance of the comparability—suggests there’s nonetheless a lot to sit up for within the upcoming pre-season checks. Even when Lewis Hamilton continues to be sooner within the official Bahrain check, the true check will come when qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix rolls round subsequent month. Hamilton had a difficult 2024 season on Saturdays, dropping to his teammate George Russell in 19 out of 24 classes, however the focus will likely be on him as he goals to enhance his qualifying type this yr.
The second and ultimate day of checks deliberate by Pirelli on the Catalunya circuit concluded on Wednesday in Montmelo. On observe had been Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton alternating behind the wheel of the SF-24, and McLaren‘s MCL60 pushed by Oscar Piastri. Each vehicles had been modified to make use of the prototypes of the tyres set to be launched below the brand new technical laws for subsequent yr, which function a 25mm narrower entrance and 30mm narrower rear.
A complete of 300 laps had been accomplished at this time: 74 every for the Monegasque and the Brit, and 152 for Oscar Piastri. The quickest lap instances (which it’s price declaring once more usually are not totally indicative as a result of particular nature of the testing applications) noticed the Monegasque driver on the high (1’14”971), adopted by Oscar Piastri (1’15”815) and Lewis Hamilton (1’16”759). “It was a really helpful session, significantly in permitting us to check completely different variations of the tire constructions forward of subsequent season, in addition to testing among the tougher compounds within the vary,” commented Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport Director.
The Pirelli check program will proceed subsequent week (Thursday and Friday) on the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, the place Alpine (for 2 days), McLaren, and Mercedes (for at some point every) will take to the observe. The ultimate pre-season check is scheduled for March 2 and three in Sakhir (Bahrain), the place each Alpine and Williams will likely be on observe for the one three days of collective testing with the 2025 vehicles earlier than the Australian Grand Prix.
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