The first of two test days organized by Pirelli as part of the tire development program for the 2026 single-seaters has concluded at the Catalunya circuit. In reality, activity in Montmeló was more intense than expected, with Ferrari and McLaren (running their respective mule cars) being joined by two TPC single-seaters, one from Ferrari and one from Alpine.
Ferrari began the Pirelli program with the SF-24 mule car driven by Hamilton, marking his first time at the wheel of the Scuderia’s car used last season. Lewis completed the planned work in the first half of the day, while Charles Leclerc took to the track in the morning session with the 2023 car, making up for the testing lost last week due to Hamilton’s accident. In the afternoon, the two Ferrari drivers swapped cars, completing the day without issues. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will be on track again tomorrow, alternating in the SF-24 as per Pirelli’s schedule.
Also on track at the Catalunya circuit was McLaren’s mule car, derived from the MCL60, with Norris at the wheel. Lando Norris completed the planned program and will hand over to Oscar Piastri, who is set to drive tomorrow. Last week, Pirelli’s engineers focused on intermediate and extreme wet tires, while this session centered on slick tire development, testing different construction and compound combinations. The compounds used were among the hardest in the range (from C1 to C3), suitable for a particularly demanding circuit like the Spanish one. In total, 332 laps were completed with the mule cars: Lewis Hamilton completed 87 (best time 1’15”93), Charles Leclerc 86 (1’16”06), and Lando Norris 159 (1’15”21).
Alpine also covered many laps during the day, running the A523 (in an unusual black carbon livery) as part of the TPC test program. The team did not provide information on the test, but Jack Doohan was seen on track completing the day’s program.
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