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Ferrari and McLaren Begin Pirelli Tyre Testing in Barcelona

Formula 1’s preparation for the 2026 season took another step forward as Pirelli’s second test session of 2025 commenced at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Following last week’s testing at Paul Ricard, McLaren F1 Racing returned for another two-day programme, this time working alongside Scuderia Ferrari HP to assist in the development of the sport’s future tyre compounds.

Pirelli’s Continued 2026 Tyre Development

As Formula 1 moves towards new regulations in 2026, tyre supplier Pirelli has been intensifying its testing efforts to refine the compounds that will be used in the future. The Barcelona test, held at the demanding Spanish circuit near Granollers, focused on slick tyres after last week’s Paul Ricard session, which primarily evaluated intermediate and extreme wet tyres. Given the high degradation and abrasive nature of the Barcelona track, Pirelli opted to assess different combinations of construction and compounds, particularly the harder C1 to C3 compounds.

Hamilton and Leclerc Share Ferrari Duties, Norris Leads the Way

Three race drivers took part in Tuesday’s running, with Ferrari’s new signing Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc sharing the modified SF-24, while Lando Norris was at the wheel of McLaren’s adapted MCL60. Each car was specially adjusted to comply with the FIA’s regulations for private testing with Pirelli, ensuring no unfair advantage was gained by either team.

Despite the non-competitive nature of the test, lap times were recorded, with Norris emerging as the quickest of the three. The McLaren driver completed an impressive 159 laps and posted the fastest time of the day with a lap of 1m15.215s. Ferrari’s new pairing also completed significant mileage, with Hamilton clocking a best lap of 1m15.930s over 87 laps, while Leclerc recorded a 1m16.060s from his 86 laps.

The total lap count for the day reached an impressive 332, highlighting Pirelli’s commitment to gathering crucial data on tyre performance in different conditions.

Testing Programme and Driver Schedule for Day Two

The test will continue on Wednesday, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri taking over from Norris. At Ferrari, Leclerc and Hamilton will once again divide duties, with Leclerc scheduled to drive in the morning before handing over to Hamilton in the afternoon.

These sessions are part of an extensive evaluation process as Pirelli works closely with teams to fine-tune the characteristics of its 2026 tyres. Engineers are analysing factors such as durability, heat retention, and overall grip levels to ensure the new compounds meet the demands of modern Formula 1 machinery.

Why Barcelona?

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is widely regarded as one of the best tracks for tyre testing due to its diverse range of corners, long straights, and high-speed sections. The track surface is known for being abrasive, which puts additional stress on tyres and makes it an ideal location for testing durability and wear patterns.

With its mix of fast, medium, and slow corners, Barcelona provides engineers with valuable insights into how different compounds perform under varying conditions. This knowledge will be crucial as Pirelli continues refining its tyres for the 2026 season, when Formula 1 will introduce new technical regulations, including updated power units and aerodynamic changes.

Looking Ahead

While the times set during these tests do not hold competitive significance, they offer a glimpse into how drivers and teams are adapting to the new tyre developments. For Ferrari, Hamilton’s presence in the garage alongside Leclerc marks an early stage in their collaboration as teammates. Meanwhile, McLaren’s participation underscores the team’s commitment to assisting Pirelli in the development process.

With another day of running ahead, teams and engineers will continue gathering data to aid in the evolution of Pirelli’s tyres, ensuring they are ready to meet the challenges of the next Formula 1 era.

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Hugo Harvey

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