Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Alfa Romeo mobilized for Pirelli tests on 18″ wheels
Pirelli is already preparing for the next season. Several teams have completed laps with the 18-inch tires before the holiday break.
The 2022 F1 season is approaching very quickly. During the summer break, Pirelli was able to test the 18-inch tires on the Hungary circuit for the next season with some teams. Among them, McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Alfa Romeo.
As indicated a few days earlier on Motors Inside, the French F2 driver, Théo Pourchaire, drove a Formula 1 car for the first time. It was Alfa Romeo that made Pourchaire’s dream come true. Behind the wheel of the 2019 C38, the 17-year-old Sauber driver enjoyed this dream become a reality.
Yesterday, a dream came true. I drove a Formula 1 car for the first time in my life. I remember dreaming of this day when I was a child. I would like to thank the whole team for this incredible experience and unforgettable day.
A total of 523 laps completed by the teams.
During two days, the teams present to test the 18-inch tires completed a total of 523 laps, equivalent to 2291 kilometers. They tried several types of different prototypes in warm weather. On McLaren’s side, Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris completed 213 laps. The Ferraris with their usual drivers, on the other hand, completed 173 laps.
Solid work with 66 laps this morning for @MercedesAMGF1 and the #Fit4F1 18-inch 2022 tyres: nearly the same distance as the Hungarian Grand Prix last Sunday. @F1 @fia @HungaroringF1 pic.twitter.com/StZChqY0Jz
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) August 3, 2021
Instead of sending Hamilton or Bottas, Mercedes offered George Russell to get on board the Mercedes-AMG W12. He completed a total of 137 laps on his own. This is not the first time that the driver has tested for Mercedes during his F1 career. He had also conducted tests in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi in 2019.
If we don’t know the results of these tests yet, Pirelli’s idea is to properly prepare for the 2022 season with the 18-inch tires. We will probably know a little more in the coming weeks.
Our photo album from these two days of testing is online.
