Leclerc Dominates Pirelli Tyre Test as Hamilton Falls Behind
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc emerged as the fastest driver during Pirelli’s recent tyre test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, outpacing his teammate Lewis Hamilton and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. The test, spanning two days, was specifically organized to assist Pirelli in developing new slick tyre compounds for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
While Hamilton showed early promise by leading on the first day, Leclerc made a remarkable improvement on the second day, significantly widening the gap between himself and his seven-time world champion teammate. Meanwhile, McLaren’s drivers also played a key role in testing, with Lando Norris and Piastri delivering competitive lap times.
Purpose of the Pirelli Tyre Test
The tyre test was crucial for the development of the next-generation Pirelli compounds, designed to adapt to the major technical regulation changes coming in 2026. Both Ferrari and McLaren participated in the test using modified versions of their 2024 cars, which had been altered to replicate the expected performance characteristics of the 2026 machines.
Formula 1’s 2026 regulations will introduce a substantial reduction in downforce, with an estimated 20% decrease compared to the 2025 cars. Alongside the aerodynamic changes, the new tyres will also be narrower—front tyres will be reduced by 25 millimeters, while the rear tyres will shrink by 30 millimeters. These adjustments are aimed at making cars more efficient and improving racing dynamics, but they also pose a challenge for teams and drivers as they adapt to a very different handling experience.
Day One: Hamilton Leads Ferrari’s Effort, Norris Sets the Benchmark
On the opening day of testing, Hamilton delivered a strong performance, registering a fastest lap time of 1:15.93, which put him ahead of his teammate Leclerc by 0.13 seconds. While the margin between the two Ferrari drivers was narrow, both were notably slower than McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Norris, piloting McLaren’s MCL60 mule car adapted for the 2026 tyre specifications, set the fastest lap of the day at 1:15.21. His time provided an early benchmark, showcasing the potential of the new tyre compounds and the modified car setup.
Ferrari’s performance on Day One suggested that the Scuderia was gathering valuable data for Pirelli, with both Hamilton and Leclerc delivering consistent lap times across multiple stints. However, their deficit to Norris raised questions about how well Ferrari’s modified car was adapting to the reduced-downforce conditions.
Day Two: Leclerc’s Breakthrough, Hamilton Falls Behind
The second day of testing witnessed a dramatic turnaround, with Leclerc making substantial gains in lap time. The Monegasque driver completed 74 laps and managed to clock an impressive fastest lap of 1:14.971, making him the quickest driver of the entire test session.
Leclerc’s improvement of over a second from his Day One performance highlighted Ferrari’s ability to extract more performance from the prototype tyres as the session progressed. His rapid time was significantly quicker than McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who finished the day with a best time of 1:15.815, also completing 74 laps.
In contrast, Hamilton seemed to struggle on the second day. While he had led Ferrari’s charge on Day One, he was unable to match Leclerc’s pace as the session evolved. The seven-time world champion’s times were consistently slower, raising speculation about potential setup differences or how the prototype tyres suited his driving style.
Implications of the Test Results
Leclerc’s strong pace in the tyre test could be an encouraging sign for Ferrari, as it suggests the team is adapting well to the future regulations. His ability to find speed with the 2026 tyre specifications may indicate that Ferrari’s development approach is heading in the right direction.
For Hamilton, the test results might not be entirely representative of his actual performance. Tyre tests are typically conducted with various unknown factors—such as different fuel loads, setup experiments, and specific tyre compound evaluations—which can influence lap times significantly. Still, the fact that Leclerc was able to make such a substantial improvement while Hamilton struggled may raise some questions within the Ferrari camp.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s presence in the test was equally significant. Lando Norris’s quick time on Day One, combined with Oscar Piastri’s consistent performance on Day Two, indicates that the team is also gathering valuable data for both Pirelli and their own 2026 car development. McLaren has been steadily improving in recent seasons, and their competitiveness in this test suggests they could be a force to watch in the coming years.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2026 regulations will bring one of the most dramatic shifts in Formula 1’s technical landscape in recent memory. With reduced downforce, narrower tyres, and an entirely new aerodynamic philosophy, teams must carefully balance performance and efficiency. The data gathered from this Pirelli test will play a critical role in shaping tyre behavior under these new conditions.
Ferrari and McLaren’s participation in the test underscores their commitment to staying ahead of the competition as the sport transitions into a new era. While the lap times from a tyre test don’t directly correlate to race performance, the insights gained could offer an advantage in preparing for the next generation of Formula 1 cars.
As the 2025 season approaches, teams will continue refining their understanding of these evolving regulations. With Leclerc showcasing impressive speed and Hamilton working to adapt, Ferrari’s internal battle will be one to watch closely. At the same time, McLaren’s performance suggests they are steadily positioning themselves as a top contender for the future.
In the coming months, further tests and development sessions will provide more clarity on how the 2026 cars will behave. For now, Leclerc’s dominance in this Pirelli test serves as an early indication that Ferrari might be making the right moves for the future—while Hamilton faces the challenge of adapting to a rapidly changing landscape.
