2 days of intense testing for Ferrari and McLaren for Pirelli
Pirelli concluded two days of testing at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit in Spain. After an initial session at Paul Ricard focused on intermediate and extreme wet tires, the attention this time was on the development of slick tires for 2026. McLaren F1 and Scuderia Ferrari participated in these tests, with the presence of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri.
On the first day, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc took turns behind the wheel of a modified Ferrari SF-24, while Lando Norris drove an adapted McLaren MCL60. The tests focused on different combinations of constructions and compounds, including the hardest in the range (C1 to C3), suited to the demands of the Spanish circuit. A total of 332 laps were completed: Hamilton did 87 with a best time of 1:15.930, Leclerc 86 in 1:16.060, and Norris 159 in 1:15.215.
The second day saw Oscar Piastri taking over for McLaren, while Leclerc and Hamilton once again shared the Ferrari. Both cars were fitted with prototype tires in compliance with the new 2026 technical regulations, with reduced dimensions of 25 mm at the front and 30 mm at the rear. A total of 300 laps were completed: Leclerc and Hamilton each covered 74 laps, with best times of 1:14.971 and 1:16.759 respectively, while Piastri completed 152 laps in 1:15.815.
Mario Isola, director of Pirelli Motorsport, said: « This was a very useful session, especially for comparing the different constructions planned for next season and experimenting with some compounds from the hard range. The Barcelona circuit is known for being one of the most demanding in terms of energy exerted and tire degradation, so the information gathered during these two days will be very important for the future development of this generation of tires. »
After these tests, the Pirelli engineering team will head to the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Andalusia for two days of testing on February 13 and 14. Alpine will participate on both days, while McLaren and Mercedes will each be present for one day. The final pre-season tests will take place at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain on March 2 and 3, with the participation of Alpine and Williams. This same circuit will then host three days of collective testing before the first Grand Prix of the season in Australia.
Note that during a previous private test session on the same circuit, Lewis Hamilton was involved in an incident where he hit the barriers in the final sector of the track with a 2022 Ferrari. Although the Briton emerged unscathed, the car sustained damage requiring repairs, thus delaying the session of his teammate Charles Leclerc.
