Rain slows Ferrari and Haas Pirelli tests at Mugello
At Mugello, where Pirelli is carrying out tire tests with Ferrari and Haas for the compounds that will be used in the 2026 Formula 1 season, rain unfortunately played a decisive role. Already in the early hours of the morning, the track was wet, which reduced activity significantly. The tires—especially the new hard compound—require the most stable conditions possible to provide useful data on grip, wear, and thermal behavior. With a damp or excessively humid surface, many of these measurements lose reliability.
Ferrari drivers expected on track tomorrow
The Pirelli tests are designed to evaluate resistance, degradation, and performance of the tires not only in extreme conditions but also in normal running situations. When rain interferes, several elements are compromised. Even lap times and race pace lose significance in the wet, since tire behavior in damp conditions does not reflect what happens on a dry surface. Tomorrow, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were scheduled to take to the track with a program similar to that of Haas.
How Haas drivers performed today
Today, the two Haas drivers tested the new 2026 Pirelli tires on a mule car, a modified version of the VF-24. Esteban Ocon completed 40 laps, setting his best time at 1:21.943. Oliver Bearman, meanwhile, managed 30 laps at the Mugello circuit, with a best lap time of 1:34.381. Tomorrow, Ferrari drivers will carry out the same test program using the SF-25 mule car. Unfortunately for Pirelli, the rain was a major obstacle, and the Italian manufacturer can only hope that the weather improves for tomorrow. Otherwise, the collected data may not be sufficient, forcing the company to consider organizing additional test sessions.
Update: Lewis Hamilton replaced by Guanyu Zhou
Update: Lewis Hamilton will not take part in the Pirelli tests at Mugello in order to stay close to his dog Roscoe, who is unwell. He will be replaced by Guanyu Zhou in tomorrow’s session. Click here for the full story
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