Lewis Hamilton completes third F1 test stint as Ferrari times vs McLaren revealed
Lewis Hamilton completes third F1 test stint as Ferrari times vs McLaren revealed
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The Briton took part in a Pirelli tyre test for 2026 alongside Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Lewis Hamilton has completed his third testing stint since joining Ferrari on Wednesday – with just over a month until his F1 debut for the Scuderia. The 40-year-old Briton, who drove the 2023 SF-23 car in Fiorano a fortnight ago and Barcelona last week, took part in a Pirelli tyre test on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Driving a modified version of last year’s SF-24 car to fit the narrower 2026 tyres, Hamilton posted a fastest lap time of 1:15:93 over 87 laps on Tuesday. This time was just over a tenth-of-a-second quicker than Charles Leclerc’s fastest time over 86 laps – 1:16:06. However, both times were short of Lando Norris’ fastest lap in the MCL60 (McLaren’s modified 2023 car), which was 1:15:21 – though Norris did rack up 159 laps throughout the day.
Hamilton and Leclerc shared duties once again on Wednesday, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in the cockpit for the full day. Pirelli are yet to release today’s timings. It is another box ticked for Hamilton, though, as he acclimatises to a new team following 12 years and six world titles with Mercedes. The seven-time F1 world champion did crash the SF-23 in Ferrari’s behind-closed-doors test in Barcelona last week, though was said to be “absolutely fine” following a shunt in sector three of the 4.6km circuit.
It follows a trend of Hamilton crashing in pre-season tests ahead of his first season with a new team, as he did for McLaren in 2007 and Mercedes in 2013. This week, tyre manufacturer Pirelli’s programme was focused on the development of their slick tyres, ahead of new engine and chassis regulations coming into force next year. The precise details of the drivers’ compound use and run plans were not disclosed.
Hamilton could take part in more private TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) sessions – likely to be at Ferrari’s track in Fiorano – before the official pre-season test in Bahrain on 26-28 February. Ferrari officially launch their 2025 car – the SF-25 – on Wednesday 19 February, but will reveal their livery at the 10-team season launch event at The O2 Arena in London on 18 February. Hamilton’s first race for Ferrari will be the season-opening Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne – a venue he has tasted success at two times – on 16 March.
