Ferrari will head straight back onto the track at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a two-day Pirelli test that could prove even more significant than a routine tyre development programme for the 2027 Formula 1 regulations.
Ferrari, Cadillac and Aston Martin will all be involved in the test sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, having been selected by the Italian tyre manufacturer to help shape the next generation of Formula 1 tyres. Ferrari is expected to field Charles Leclerc on both days, a decision that had already been planned but carries importance beyond the purely technical side of the programme.
Aston Martin, meanwhile, will not use its regular race drivers, with Jak Crawford scheduled to drive on Tuesday. For Cadillac, Guanyu Zhou will take part in both test days as the American team continues its preparations ahead of its Formula 1 debut.
Following a difficult weekend at the Spanish circuit, Charles Leclerc will have the opportunity to get straight back behind the wheel and rebuild confidence while putting the disappointment of the Grand Prix behind him. Within Ferrari there is an awareness that the psychological aspect can play a major role during such a long and closely contested season, making track time and confidence-building almost as valuable as the data gathered for Pirelli.
The tests are particularly important for the Milan-based tyre supplier, which is continuing development work on the tyres designed for Formula 1’s next-generation cars. Having Ferrari, Aston Martin and Cadillac running simultaneously will allow Pirelli to collect data from different cars and setups, helping accelerate the validation process for the solutions currently under evaluation.
Ferrari’s programme, however, will not end with the official Pirelli sessions. According to information gathered, the Maranello-based team will remain in Barcelona on Thursday for a private TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) session, using the SF-25 that has already been employed in similar running at the Hungaroring in recent weeks.
Behind the wheel will be Rafael Câmara, one of the most highly regarded young talents within the Ferrari Driver Academy. The Brazilian driver has earned significant praise in Maranello thanks to his recent performances in the junior categories, and this latest outing will provide another valuable opportunity to gain experience in modern Formula 1 machinery.
The three consecutive days of running in Catalunya will therefore allow the team led by Loic Serra and Diego Tondi to balance present-day priorities with long-term investment. On one side, Ferrari will contribute to the development of Pirelli’s future tyres while helping Charles Leclerc regain confidence after a frustrating race weekend. On the other, the Scuderia will continue nurturing one of its most promising young prospects as it looks ahead to the seasons to come.
Leave a Reply