Lewis Hamilton has returned to the cockpit of Ferrari’s SF-26 at Imola, where the Scuderia has begun another Pirelli test dedicated to the development of Formula 1’s 2027 tyres. Ferrari moved quickly from the Madrid Grand Prix to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, with both of its race drivers scheduled to take turns in the current car during the opening day of running.
Lewis Hamilton was first on track on Tuesday morning, beginning Ferrari’s programme for the Italian tyre manufacturer. Charles Leclerc is due to take over in the afternoon, while Antonio Giovinazzi is scheduled to drive the SF-26 tomorrow. The Ferrari reserve driver will continue Pirelli’s development work while also collecting important data and feedback that can be useful for simulator correlation.
Lewis Hamilton returns to the Ferrari SF-26 after Madrid retirement
The Imola test comes immediately after a difficult end to Lewis Hamilton’s Madrid Grand Prix. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion retired early at Madring because of a technical brake problem, with Ferrari subsequently beginning a detailed investigation into the issue. Further context on the failure is available in our report on the Ferrari investigation into Lewis Hamilton’s Madrid brake problem.
This is not Lewis Hamilton’s first Pirelli development test of the year. Ferrari has alternated Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc during the tyre manufacturer’s programme, as is standard practice, allowing both race drivers to contribute to work on the compounds being developed for the 2027 Formula 1 season.
The latest Imola running follows the Ferrari Pirelli and TPC programme planned for Imola, which gives the Maranello team an especially busy schedule immediately after the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.
Charles Leclerc and Antonio Giovinazzi continue Pirelli development work
Once Lewis Hamilton completes the morning programme, Charles Leclerc is set to take over the SF-26 during the afternoon. Antonio Giovinazzi will then continue the Pirelli test tomorrow, giving Ferrari another experienced reference point as development of the 2027 tyres continues.
The test therefore allows Pirelli to gather feedback from both of Ferrari’s regular race drivers before Antonio Giovinazzi adds his own data and impressions. The latest developments involving the seven-time world champion can also be followed through the dedicated Lewis Hamilton Ferrari section.
Ferrari also begins two-day TPC programme at Imola
Ferrari has also opted to organise two days of Testing of Previous Cars activity alongside the Pirelli programme, beginning today. Rafael Câmara was seen on track during the morning at the wheel of the SF-25, adding further Formula 1 mileage as part of Ferrari’s young-driver development work.
Arthur Leclerc is scheduled to take over this afternoon, meaning Charles Leclerc and his younger brother will both be running at Imola at the same time in different Ferrari programmes. Tomorrow, Dino Beganovic will complete his own TPC running while Antonio Giovinazzi handles Pirelli duties in the SF-26.
The Scuderia is therefore operating more than one car as part of a particularly intensive programme. The additional TPC machinery allows Ferrari to give track time to young drivers and personnel involved in simulator work while the current SF-26 remains committed to Pirelli’s tyre-development schedule.
Racing Bulls joins Ferrari for Imola Pirelli running
Racing Bulls is also taking part in the Imola test with its VCABR03. Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson are scheduled to alternate behind the wheel, with Liam Lawson returning to the team with which he has been racing this year while official updates are awaited ahead of Baku regarding Isack Hadjar’s condition.
The presence of both teams means the Imola programme is not limited to Ferrari’s two cars. Pirelli will be able to gather additional information from Racing Bulls, while the Maranello squad simultaneously continues its own TPC work.
Imola test could also matter if circuit returns for 2026 finale
The mileage could become useful for another reason later in the year. If Imola returns to the Formula 1 calendar for the closing stage of the 2026 season, Ferrari and Racing Bulls would be the first — and currently the only — teams to have collected recent data with their 2026 cars at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit.
It would not represent an enormous advantage, but both teams could arrive slightly better prepared than their rivals if the Italian venue is eventually called upon to host part of the season finale. The situation can be followed through the 2026 Formula 1 calendar as the championship approaches its final rounds.
For Ferrari, the immediate priority remains Pirelli’s 2027 tyre-development work and the separate TPC programme. However, with Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Antonio Giovinazzi all contributing to the current-car test and several younger drivers gaining mileage in the SF-25, the two-day Imola programme could provide value on several fronts before the Scuderia turns its attention fully towards Baku.
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