During the current break in official Formula 1 activity, Scuderia Ferrari has remained fully engaged with on-track development work. The Maranello-based team opened a two-day Pirelli test programme today at its Fiorano circuit, with Lewis Hamilton taking part in a focused wet-weather tyre development session.
Day 1 recap: Lewis Hamilton completes 142 laps at Fiorano
The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion was on track throughout the day at Ferrari’s private test facility, beginning work on Pirelli’s wet tyre development programme. According to the official statement released by the team, Lewis Hamilton completed 142 laps of the Fiorano circuit, covering a total distance of 423 kilometres.
The Briton spent the morning and early afternoon running multiple configurations of Full Wet tyres, gathering data for Pirelli engineers as part of the ongoing development cycle for extreme wet conditions in Formula 1.
The Full Wet compound was not the only focus of the day. As confirmed in the official Ferrari communication, Lewis Hamilton also completed several runs on different versions of Intermediate tyres, concluding a highly productive opening day of testing at Fiorano.
Lewis Hamilton to continue Pirelli test programme on day two
Favourable weather conditions allowed Ferrari and Pirelli engineers to run a consistent and uninterrupted programme throughout the day. The track at Fiorano was artificially watered using the circuit’s sprinkler system, creating stable wet conditions with ambient temperatures reaching approximately 21°C.
The fastest lap recorded during the session was a 1:01.031, highlighting the level of performance analysis carried out despite the non-race environment.
Lewis Hamilton is scheduled to return to the cockpit tomorrow for the second and final day of the Pirelli wet tyre test programme, continuing development work aimed at improving performance and consistency in variable weather conditions for future Formula 1 seasons.
Lewis Hamilton’s extensive running at Fiorano marks a productive start to Ferrari’s mid-season testing efforts. By completing over 400 kilometers in a single day, the seven-time champion has provided Pirelli with a wealth of data across both Full Wet and Intermediate tire configurations. As the 2026 season sees teams pushing for every technical advantage, these private tests remain crucial for understanding the evolving operating windows of the tires. With the Briton scheduled for a second day of testing, Ferrari is ensuring they remain sharp and data-rich ahead of the return to official Grand Prix competition. The focus on artificial wet conditions highlights the sport’s ongoing commitment to improving visibility and performance in difficult weather.
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