Even as Formula 1 faces a mandatory pause in April, Ferrari remains fully engaged, continuing development work at its Maranello facilities. Today, April 9, Lewis Hamilton is taking to the Fiorano circuit as part of scheduled Pirelli tire testing, highlighting how the Scuderia is maintaining momentum during the enforced break.
Lewis Hamilton leads Ferrari’s tire testing program
The two-day program, running April 9 and April 10, sees Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel of the SF-26, kicking off the sessions. These tests are far from routine; the focus is on technical development for the 2027 season, particularly on a new super-intermediate tire compound. Ferrari’s engineers are evaluating this tire, which is designed to replace both the current intermediate and full-wet tires, creating a versatile compound optimized for variable wet conditions.
According to updates from Ferrari’s official social media channels, Lewis Hamilton was seen on the Fiorano track this morning under cloudy skies, providing engineers with critical feedback on tire behavior and car balance. A video of the Briton circulating the circuit is available at the end of the article for fans and analysts.
April workload keeps Ferrari on top of development
April has proven to be a particularly busy month for Ferrari. Beyond the current Pirelli tire sessions with Lewis Hamilton, the team has already conducted prior testing for the Tire Performance Control (TPC) program, involving drivers Antonio Giovinazzi, Arthur Leclerc, and Antonio Fuoco. These sessions are essential for gathering data and fine-tuning the SF-26’s performance ahead of the European races.
At the end of the month, Ferrari will host a filming day at the Monza circuit on April 22, featuring the team’s main drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. This session is set to provide the first on-track test of Ferrari’s innovative “Macarena wing,” an aerodynamic upgrade introduced at the beginning of the season but yet to be deployed in a race weekend. The upgrade could make its competitive debut at the Miami Grand Prix in early May, potentially providing a significant boost in downforce and lap time.
Impact of F1’s calendar changes on Ferrari
This month’s enforced break comes as Formula 1 cancels the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, reducing the 2026 season from 24 to 22 races. While this pause might appear as a disruption, Ferrari is turning it into an opportunity to maximize testing and development, keeping Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton sharp while preparing for upcoming technical updates.
Fans can view a video of Lewis Hamilton leaving the paddock and heading onto the Fiorano track below, capturing the Scuderia’s relentless work ethic during this period of pause.
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