139 laps for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz on first day of testing for development of 2025 Pirelli tyres. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz covered 139 laps at Montmelo.

Scuderia Ferrari provided an SF-23 on which the two main drivers took turns to test compounds and constructions that Pirelli is experimenting with to define the 2025 tires. Making his debut with a Formula 1 car was Arthur Leclerc, driving a two-year-old SF-75 on the track. Tomorrow, Charles Leclerc will be on the SF-23, and Carlos Sainz will take the wheel of the 2022 car in the morning. In the afternoon, the two drivers will swap cockpits.

Ferrari concluded the first day of Pirelli testing in Barcelona: Carlos Sainz in the morning and Charles Leclerc in the afternoon shared the SF-23 made available to the tire supplier, which began the development of the 2025 tires on the Spanish track.

The work program focused on comparing different solutions, both in terms of compounds and constructions, with the ultimate goal of reducing tire overheating.

The total laps covered today were 139, slightly more than the equivalent distance of two GPs: the Spanish driver completed 79 laps, while the Monegasque accumulated 60. Carlos’ best time was 1’15”610, and Charles’ was 1’16”097. Comparing lap times is not meaningful because Sainz and Leclerc never drove under equal conditions, carrying out a “blind” test for the Ferrari team.

A second Ferrari also hit the Spanish track: the SF-75, entrusted to Arthur Leclerc for his debut in a Formula 1 car. Naturally, the young Monegasque did not participate in the Pirelli tire development work but used demo tires allowed during training sessions with cars at least two years old.

Arthur, along with Oliver Bearman, has been named a development driver: getting familiar with the real car will provide a good basis for his reactions when his commitment to the simulator is required.

Tomorrow, only the two main drivers will be in action: Charles Leclerc in the morning on the SF-23, while Carlos Sainz will take the wheel of the SF-75 to intensify training for the 2024 season. In the afternoon, the two Ferrari drivers will swap cars, completing the planned programs.