Pirelli has confirmed the first dates for the 2023 tire development test program, which will begin next week, with four teams that will remain at the Imola circuit after the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend. The Italian company has struggled to find slots in this year’s very busy schedule, focusing as usual on the Tuesdays and Wednesdays following the race weekends.
With so many back-to-back races in the 2022 Formula 1 season, it was not possible to take advantage of traditional venues like Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona or Silverstone, as these races are immediately followed by other events.
As a result, Pirelli opted for the weeks following the Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna, Austria, Hungary and Italy. In this way, Pirelli managed to secure 17 days of testing, which actually become 18 with a single day to be held at Mugello, out of the 25 allowed by the regulations, including those for the wet tyres testing sessions.
The teams will use the 2022 Formula 1 cars for these tests, having used the mule cars last year. Even if there will be severe restrictions on what the teams will be able to do in these days, the possibility of using the cars of the current season is still seen as something advantageous. The 18 days are spread across nine teams, with only Haas not participating. After giving up last year, not having a mule car, Williams has instead decided to take part in 2022.
Three teams, namely Red Bull, Scuderia Ferrari and Alpine, have decided to divide their two days of testing between two different tracks. The program will begin next week in Imola: in addition to Alfa Romeo, as mentioned, AlphaTauri, Alpine and Ferrari will also take to the track, with the last two teams running for just one day.
Scuderia Ferrari will use its second day at Mugello on 24 June, the Friday after the Canadian Grand Prix. McLaren and Williams will head off for two days at the Red Bull Ring, the week following the Austrian Grand Prix, while Alpine and Red Bull will also join them for a single day.
Mercedes and Aston Martin both agreed to use their two days in Hungary, just before the summer break. The last day with the dry tires is destined for Red Bull, at Monza, immediately after the Italian GP.
At the moment, the test dates with wet tires have not yet been confirmed, while further 2023 slick prototypes will be tested later in the season, which will be available to all teams in two second free practice sessions.
The dates for the Pirelli 2022 tests
April 26, Imola: AlphaTauri, Alfa Romeo, Alpine
April 27, Imola: AlphaTauri, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari
24 June, Mugello: Ferrari
July 12, Red Bull Ring: McLaren, Williams, Red Bull
July 13, Red Bull Ring: McLaren, Williams, Alpine
2 August, Hungaroring: Mercedes, Aston Martin
August 3, Hungaroring: Mercedes, Aston Martin
September 13, Monza: Red Bul
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