Just in:Leclerc Outpaces Hamilton on Second Day of …read more
Sure! Here’s a 500-word paraphrased version of your news article:
Leclerc Outpaces Hamilton on Second Day of …read more
The second and final day of Pirelli’s tyre test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya saw Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap, surpassing teammate Lewis Hamilton. While the first day of testing on Tuesday saw Hamilton clocking a quicker time than Leclerc, the Monegasque driver managed to reverse the standings on Wednesday.
Ferrari and McLaren were the only two teams participating in this test session. However, while both of Ferrari’s drivers were present for the second day, McLaren only had Oscar Piastri on track. The Australian driver completed a total of 152 laps on his own, significantly more than either of the Ferrari drivers. Leclerc and Hamilton each managed to complete 74 laps over the course of the session, contributing to a total of 300 laps completed throughout the day.
Leclerc Sets the Fastest Time
Leclerc emerged as the fastest driver during Wednesday’s test, setting a lap time of 1:14.971. In contrast, Hamilton, who had been the quicker of the two on Tuesday, posted a slower time of 1:16.759. Piastri slotted in between the Ferrari teammates with a best lap of 1:15.815.
Despite these differences in lap times, Pirelli clarified that the numbers should not be used as a direct comparison of driver performance. Each driver was running different test programmes, meaning that factors such as fuel loads, tyre compounds, and car setup varied between runs. The primary focus of the test was to gather data for Pirelli’s 2025 tyres rather than measure outright pace.
Productive Testing for Pirelli
With the combined efforts of Leclerc, Hamilton, and Piastri, the second day of testing provided valuable data for Pirelli as they continue developing their tyre compounds for future Formula 1 seasons. The testing process involved evaluating different rubber compounds and constructions, helping the Italian tyre manufacturer fine-tune their products before presenting them to teams later in the year.
Although the lap times from these tests do not directly reflect race performance, they offer insights into tyre behavior under different conditions. Factors like long-run performance, grip levels, and degradation rates were among the key data points gathered over the two days of testing in Barcelona.
Different Testing Approaches
Each team followed a unique testing schedule, leading to varied lap counts and times. Piastri’s 152 laps far exceeded the number completed by either Ferrari driver, indicating that McLaren may have been focusing on long-run simulations. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s decision to split running between Leclerc and Hamilton suggests a different approach, potentially allowing both drivers to provide feedback on the tyre performance.
With pre-season testing and early-season races already providing some indications of how the tyres behave, these dedicated Pirelli tests are essential in refining future compounds. Although the lap times recorded in Barcelona are not directly comparable, Leclerc can take satisfaction in having topped the timesheets on the final day.
As teams continue to prepare for upcoming races, the insights gained from this test will play a role in tyre strategy and development in the coming months.
About The Author
