Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in the 2026 Pirelli tests
A few hours of rest and then it’s back at it, in a preseason that is evidently much more hectic and demanding than usual. After the three days of TPC tests – private tests, explicitly allowed by the regulations, with cars that are at least two seasons old – in Barcelona, Ferrari is preparing to restart the engines once again at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will be in the car on Tuesday, February 4, and Wednesday, February 5, for the tests granted to Pirelli by the FIA and F1 to develop the 2026 tires.
Pirelli tests: why are they so “interesting”?
Tire tests are usually of little significance to teams and drivers – not by chance, team regulars often give way to reserve drivers – since engineers cannot make setup changes outside those agreed with Pirelli, and the tests are conducted “blind,” meaning that the tire supplier does not communicate the work schedule or the type of compound being tested to the team members. Nevertheless, Ferrari takes the test seriously, going on track with the full lineup to allow Charles Leclerc to shake off the understandable rust from the winter with engines off and, most importantly, to allow Lewis Hamilton to continue his learning process of the procedures and working dynamics in the garage.
So, after having driven at Fiorano experiencing the enthusiasm of the Ferrari fans and following last week’s activity at Montmeló, which ended with an unexpected high-speed crash (but without physical consequences), Sir Lewis will again be a protagonist behind the wheel of the red car. With a slight novelty compared to the TPC tests done in recent days: both Hamilton and Leclerc will drive a 2024 SF-24 in the tests – they had previously worked with the 2023 SF-23 – suitably modified to roughly simulate the aerodynamic load (lower than the current one) expected from the new regulations. The test will therefore be interesting as an appetizer for the type of driving required by the cars of the 2026 season, but also to allow the seven-time world champion to acclimatize even more to the Ferrari environment.
McLaren will also be on track
Joining Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in the 2026 Pirelli tests will also be the McLaren rivals, who just a few weeks ago beat Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship race. The British team will also prepare a modified car to simulate the load expected from the new regulations. This is not, however, the first time McLaren has been on track this season: already on January 29 and 30, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris drove on the French Paul Ricard circuit to assist Pirelli in the design and development of the new generation intermediate and wet tires on an artificially wet track.
