Lewis Hamilton reveals key problem with F1 wet tyres after 300-lap Ferrari test. Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton test controversial F1 wet tyre solution at Fiorano.

Lewis Hamilton pushes Ferrari and Pirelli toward major wet tyre rethink after brutal Fiorano test

Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he personally pushed for significant changes to Formula 1’s wet-weather tyre preparation procedures after enduring what he described as an extremely demanding and frustrating Pirelli test session at Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion spent two intensive days at Ferrari’s private Fiorano test track back in April as part of Pirelli’s ongoing tyre development programme for future Formula 1 seasons. Under current Formula 1 regulations, teams are occasionally required to provide cars and drivers for tyre testing duties, while Pirelli controls the run plans and gathers data for future compound development.

These sessions do not allow Ferrari and other teams to evaluate performance upgrades or experiment with car development parts. Instead, the focus remains entirely on helping Pirelli improve tyre behaviour across different weather conditions and race scenarios.

For Lewis Hamilton, however, the Fiorano programme became more than just another standard tyre test.

The British driver reportedly used the opportunity to directly influence discussions surrounding one of Formula 1’s most controversial technical decisions in recent years: the removal of tyre blankets from wet-weather compounds.

Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari wet tyre test at Fiorano became “painful”

Speaking to reporters about the experience, Lewis Hamilton admitted the Fiorano test proved physically exhausting due to the sheer amount of running completed across the two days.

The Ferrari driver explained that the programme involved roughly 300 laps around the demanding Fiorano circuit, making it one of the more intense tyre development sessions he has experienced in recent seasons.

Lewis Hamilton reportedly described the outing as “painful,” highlighting both the physical workload and the challenges created by Formula 1’s evolving wet-weather tyre philosophy.

One of the key areas discussed during the test involved tyre blankets for intermediate and full wet tyres. Formula 1 removed tyre blankets from certain wet compounds in recent years as part of broader sustainability initiatives designed to reduce energy consumption and improve the environmental image of the championship. However, several drivers have continued expressing concerns regarding tyre warm-up performance and safety in low-grip conditions.

Lewis Hamilton appears to have become one of the strongest advocates for revisiting parts of that decision.

Lewis Hamilton reportedly pushed Pirelli to restore tyre blankets on full wet tyres

According to Lewis Hamilton, Pirelli had already introduced modifications to the tyre blanket procedures for intermediate tyres following earlier discussions with drivers. The Ferrari star reportedly welcomed those changes and suggested they represented a clear improvement in drivability and tyre behaviour.

Lewis Hamilton explained that he had strongly encouraged Pirelli to continue moving in that direction, particularly regarding the extreme wet tyres used in the most dangerous conditions.

During the Fiorano test, Lewis Hamilton reportedly requested that the full wet tyres be fitted once again with tyre blankets despite the current restrictions. The results apparently convinced him that the approach significantly improved performance and safety in slippery conditions. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion indicated that the difference was immediately noticeable once the tyres were properly pre-heated before running.

For an experienced driver like Lewis Hamilton, the issue goes beyond pure comfort or performance. In modern Formula 1, visibility, grip and tyre temperature management during heavy rain already create enormous challenges, and poorly prepared tyres can dramatically worsen the situation. The debate surrounding wet-weather racing has become increasingly important in recent years as Formula 1 continues searching for ways to improve racing quality and safety during extreme conditions.

Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton continue adapting to Formula 1’s new era

The Fiorano tyre test also formed part of Lewis Hamilton’s broader adaptation process inside Ferrari following his blockbuster switch from Mercedes to the Scuderia.

Although tyre testing programmes are officially conducted on behalf of Pirelli, they still provide drivers valuable opportunities to further understand car behaviour, communication methods and working procedures within their new teams.

For Ferrari, having a driver with the seven-time F1 world champion’s experience and technical feedback is considered one of the biggest long-term advantages of signing the British Formula 1 legend.

Throughout his Formula 1 career, Lewis Hamilton has frequently played an active role in technical discussions involving tyre behaviour, race strategy and safety concerns. His experience across multiple regulation eras makes his feedback particularly valuable when Formula 1 evaluates future technical directions. The latest comments from the Briton are therefore likely to reignite discussion inside the paddock regarding whether Formula 1 moved too aggressively in reducing the use of tyre blankets under wet conditions.

Several drivers and engineers already believe the current generation of wet tyres struggles to operate effectively in the coldest and most difficult scenarios, especially when visibility issues force race control into increasingly cautious decisions. Lewis Hamilton’s intervention may now place additional pressure on both Formula 1 and Pirelli to reconsider parts of the current philosophy before future regulation cycles are finalized.

For now, one thing appears clear: after spending two exhausting days circulating Fiorano in difficult conditions, Lewis Hamilton left convinced that Formula 1 still has important work to do when it comes to wet-weather tyres.