Lewis Hamilton is in action for Ferrari at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this week. Hamilton is driving the 2024 car in a 2026 Pirelli tyre test.
He’s splitting testing duties with teammate Charles Leclerc. Ferrari have brought two cars to Barcelona so that Leclerc can carry out the TPC running he missed last week as a result of Hamilton’s crash.
McLaren are also in attendance in Montmelo. Lando Norris outpaced the Ferraris on Tuesday as he completed all of the team’s running, with Oscar Piastri taking over on Wednesday.
This is McLaren’s second Pirelli test of the off-season. They also trialled the wet rubber at the Paul Ricard circuit in France last week.
The official pre-season test in Bahrain doesn’t start until 26 February. But F1 teams are utilising the rules that permit extra running.
Barcelona, which used to host winter testing for every team, is proving to be a popular venue. Carlos Sainz took to the track in his Williams on Monday.
Jack Doohan joins Lewis Hamilton on track for hushed Alpine test
According to Motorsport Italy, the track activity in Barcelona was ‘intense’. In addition to two Ferraris and a McLaren, there was an Alpine on track.
2025 signing Jack Doohan was behind the wheel of a two-year-old car. It was fitted with a unique carbon black livery showing no sponsors.
Alpine ‘did not provide any information’ about the test. It’s noteworthy that they made no mention of it on their social platforms.
All that’s known is that Doohan ‘covered many laps’ and completed the programme. Clearly, the team are trying to operate under the radar.
Jack Doohan’s ‘team orders’ remark shows he’s already feeling the pressure at Alpine
Doohan is the driver who’s arguably under the most pressure heading into 2025. He may not be competing for a world championship, but his seat is already in danger.
That’s because Alpine have signed Franco Colapinto as their reserve driver. Colapinto is a plug-and-play option, having completed nine races for Williams last season.
What’s more, Doohan has only signed a six-race contract with Alpine. And he may already have used up one of those with his early debut at the Abu Dhabi GP.
Doohan is happy to follow ‘team orders’ at Alpine, a surprising comment to make before the season has even started. He wants to paint himself as a driver who will put the collective interest first and work well with Gasly, which would strengthen his case to continue beyond the spring.
