Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have completed their first day of running at a Pirelli tyre test in Barcelona. The new Ferrari duo are trialling the 2026 rubber at the Spanish Grand Prix venue.
Hamilton was behind the wheel pre-lunch on Tuesday, with Leclerc taking over in the afternoon. They were joined on track by McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Ferrari are using an ‘unprecedented’ set-up for the event. Barcelona is a traditionally high-downforce circuit given its series of sweeping medium-to-high-speed turns.
However, on the instruction of Pirelli, Ferrari have stripped downforce off their car. This is to simulate the next generation of cars.
Thus Hamilton’s first taste of the SF-24 was unique, and not necessarily representative. Pirelli dictate the run plan, and don’t even inform teams which of the prototype tyres they’re running.
Hamilton started his off-season testing programme with a run at Fiorano on 22 January before arriving in Montmelo for a TPC outing in the 2023 car. He crashed last week, but seemed to enjoy a smoother morning on Tuesday.
Lewis Hamilton outpaces Charles Leclerc in Ferrari’s Pirelli tyre test
A report from Motorsport Italy shares some details from the Pirelli test. The track was fairly busy, with Alpine carrying out a separate TPC programme with Jack Doohan.
There was no ‘hitch’ for either Ferrari star, who will also split the driving on Wednesday. Between them, they managed 173 laps – 87 for Hamilton and 86 for Leclerc.
The British driver set a slightly quicker time, clocking a 1:15.93 compared to Leclerc’s 1:16.06. While there’s no information regarding the track conditions, tyre compounds or run plans, it perhaps bodes well for the new arrival.
Lando Norris notched 159 laps himself in the title-winning McLaren. He blitzed the Ferraris with a 1:15.21, but again the full context is unknown.
Ferrari made an unusual call in Barcelona after Lewis Hamilton crash
Hamilton was also faster than Leclerc in Fiorano, though the rain limits the value of that comparison. Even if he’s quicker in the official Bahrain test, it won’t matter of course.
The seven-time world champion will instead be the centre of attention in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix next month. He endured a nightmare season on a Saturday in 2024, losing out to George Russell in 19 out of 24 sessions.
Ferrari made a peculiar decision for the Pirelli test, bringing two different cars. This comes after Hamilton’s accident disrupted their run plan last week.
Leclerc will be able to make up for the lost track time in the SF-23. Fred Vasseur is determined to grant his drivers equal opportunities.
Leave feedback about this