Ferrari has returned to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari at Imola for the opening day of Pirelli testing, with Lewis Hamilton taking the SF-26 onto the track and Charles Leclerc also expected to contribute to the programme. Alongside the 2027 tyre development work, the Scuderia is running a separate Testing of Previous Cars programme, giving Ferrari an unusually valuable opportunity to collect mileage at a circuit that could yet play a major role at the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
At 9:10 in the morning, under a clear blue sky and with the light already hinting at the approach of autumn, the tranquillity around Imola was interrupted by the sound of a hybrid V6 and the sight of a red Formula 1 car. It was the Ferrari SF-25, with Rafael Câmara completing the first two laps of the day.
Ferrari begins Imola Pirelli test with Lewis Hamilton in the SF-26
Ferrari is at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit for two distinct reasons. The first is its involvement in Pirelli’s development testing, during which the team will evaluate the different tyre compounds brought to Imola by the Milan-based manufacturer. The feedback gathered from the running will help Pirelli continue defining its tyres ahead of the 2027 Formula 1 World Championship.
Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are expected to drive the SF-26 as part of that programme. Lewis Hamilton was the first of Ferrari’s race drivers to appear on track, taking his car out at 9:40. The programme follows the planned Ferrari and Pirelli Imola test programme, which combines future tyre development with additional track activity for the Maranello team.
For Lewis Hamilton, the test provides further mileage in the SF-26 immediately after the Madrid Grand Prix weekend. All the latest developments involving the seven-time world champion can also be followed through the dedicated Lewis Hamilton Ferrari news section.
Rafael Câmara continues Ferrari TPC development in the SF-25
At the same time, Ferrari is using the opportunity at Imola to give Rafael Câmara further experience in Formula 1 machinery. The talented Ferrari Driver Academy member completed the opening laps aboard the SF-25 as part of the team’s TPC running.
The 21-year-old from Recife is already familiar with the car, having driven the SF-25 during other Testing of Previous Cars sessions held earlier this season. The Imola outing therefore gives Rafael Câmara another opportunity to build experience with Formula 1 machinery while Ferrari carries out a completely separate programme with its current SF-26 for Pirelli.
The distinction between the two programmes is important. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are involved in work centred on Pirelli’s future tyre development, while Rafael Câmara’s laps form part of Ferrari’s own programme using previous machinery. The broader technical work carried out by Maranello throughout the season can be followed in the Ferrari technical analysis section.
Imola running could help Ferrari if circuit hosts 2026 season finale
There is another reason why running the SF-26 at Imola could become particularly valuable for Ferrari. The circuit on the banks of the Santerno remains the leading candidate to replace the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix should Formula 1 need an alternative venue for the final race of the 2026 season.
The current Abu Dhabi finale is scheduled for the weekend of 4-6 December. If Imola were eventually selected in its place, Ferrari would already have recent data from the SF-26 and its two regular drivers around the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit.
That would give the Maranello team useful information ahead of a potentially decisive final race. In that respect, the decision to maximise track time at Imola could prove similar to Ferrari’s approach ahead of Madrid, when the Scuderia used a filming day at Madring several weeks before the Grand Prix to gather early information about the new venue.
The situation surrounding the remaining rounds and any potential changes to the championship finale can be followed through the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
Racing Bulls also joins Pirelli test at Imola
The same potential advantage applies to Racing Bulls. The Faenza-based team is joining Ferrari at Imola for Pirelli’s tyre development work with its 2026 car, meaning it too will be able to collect valuable recent running at the circuit.
If Imola ultimately becomes part of the season finale, both Ferrari and Racing Bulls could therefore arrive with useful track data already available from their September testing. For Ferrari in particular, the combination of Pirelli tyre work, current-car running and the separate TPC programme makes the Imola test an important opportunity on several fronts.
The immediate objective remains helping Pirelli develop its 2027 compounds while providing Rafael Câmara with further Formula 1 experience. But with Imola potentially becoming relevant again before the end of the year, every lap completed by Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and the SF-26 could acquire additional significance as the 2026 season moves towards its conclusion.
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