Lewis Hamilton wraps up Fiorano testing: High praise for Pirelli’s 2027 wet-weather prototypes. Lewis Hamilton completed an extensive Pirelli wet-weather tyre test.

Pirelli wet tyre tests take place under sunny conditions

Ironically, the Pirelli wet tyre testing programme took place under bright sunshine. Lewis Hamilton completed his full schedule of running at the Fiorano circuit, one of the few F1-approved European tracks equipped with an artificial watering system that allows the surface to be soaked in order to recreate specific conditions for testing Full Wet and Intermediate tyres.

Despite a warm day, with ambient temperatures reaching 22°C and remaining similar to the previous day, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion was able to evaluate the rain tyres currently being developed by the sole supplier for the 2027 season.

The first tyres tested were prototypes designed for extreme wet conditions, including a new tread pattern already trialled last week at Suzuka by Red Bull and Racing Bulls. The technical goal for Pirelli’s engineers in Milan is to expand the operating window of the Cinturato Full Wet tyre so it can remain effective even in less heavy rainfall conditions.

From mid-afternoon until the end of the day, a revised version of the Cinturato Intermediate tyre was fitted, allowing engineers to also analyse the crossover window between the different wet-weather compounds tested on track.

The Ferrari driver completed 461 kilometres today, equal to 155 laps, setting his best lap time of the day at 1’00’’740. Across the full two-day test programme at Fiorano, a total of 297 laps were completed, covering 884 kilometres overall.

Pirelli’s tyre development programme will continue next week, when Mercedes and McLaren will take part in a closed two-day test session at the Nürburgring on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 April.

The German circuit, which last hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2020, is a well-balanced track in its F1 configuration and places equal emphasis on lateral and longitudinal loads. It will therefore represent an interesting benchmark for the future slick compounds.

Lewis Hamilton’s extensive mileage at Fiorano marks a significant step forward in the partnership between Ferrari and Pirelli. By covering nearly three race distances in just two days, Hamilton has provided the technical data necessary to refine the 2027 tire range. For the Scuderia, these tests also offer an invaluable opportunity for the Briton to further sync with the SF-26’s systems in controlled, repeatable conditions. As F1 moves toward a future with more versatile wet-weather tires, the feedback from a driver of Lewis Hamilton’s experience will be fundamental in ensuring that the “Cinturato” family remains the gold standard for grip, regardless of what the clouds deliver on race day.