Lewis Hamilton Concludes Pirelli Wet Tire Test at Ferrari's Fiorano

Lewis Hamilton has wrapped up a two-day wet-weather tire test for Pirelli at Ferrari's private Fiorano circuit, completing nearly 900 kilometers of running. The seven-time world champion evaluated new extreme wet and intermediate tire prototypes, focusing on extending their performance range in varying rain conditions.

Why it matters:

Pirelli's ongoing development of its wet-weather tires is critical for improving race safety and spectacle in challenging conditions. Testing with a driver of Hamilton's caliber and experience provides invaluable real-world data, especially as the sport seeks to minimize race delays and stoppages caused by heavy rain. This work directly influences the compounds teams will use in future seasons.

The details:

• The test took place at Ferrari's Fiorano track, one of the few F1-homologated circuits with a dedicated irrigation system to soak the asphalt and simulate full wet conditions.
• Day One Focus: Hamilton first tested new extreme wet (Cinturato Full Wet) prototypes, including a revised tread pattern aimed at making the tire effective in less intense rain, not just heavy downpours.
• Crossover Assessment: In the afternoon, the session shifted to a variant of the intermediate tire, allowing Pirelli to study the performance "crossover" window—the point where teams switch from full wets to inters or vice-versa.
• Sheer Volume: Hamilton covered 461 km (155 laps) on the first day alone, with a best lap time of 1:00.740. Over the two days, he completed a total of 297 laps, equating to 884 kilometers.
• This follows a similar wet tire test conducted by Red Bull and Racing Bulls at Suzuka just after the Japanese Grand Prix.

What's next:

The wet tire testing program continues immediately, with Mercedes and McLaren scheduled to run for Pirelli at Germany's Nürburgring on April 14-15. The Nürburgring, last used in F1 in 2020, presents a balanced mix of lateral and longitudinal loads, making it an ideal venue for evaluating future slick tire compounds as well. These collective tests are part of Pirelli's preparation for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.