Lewis Hamilton's 'blind' Pirelli tire test data revealed
Lewis Hamilton logged 884 km in a Ferrari during a Pirelli wet tire test at Fiorano, operating under 'blind' rules where only the tire maker received his data. The test focused on developing new intermediate and full wet tire prototypes for future seasons.
Lewis Hamilton completed nearly 300 laps over two days in a Ferrari SF-26 during a 'blind' Pirelli wet-weather tire test at Fiorano, with the tire manufacturer releasing key data from the session. The seven-time champion, driving for his future team, provided feedback solely to Pirelli under strict testing protocols that prevented Ferrari from gathering any car performance data.
Why it matters:
This test represents Hamilton's first official track running in a Ferrari, albeit under tightly controlled conditions focused on tire development. For Pirelli, feedback from a driver of Hamilton's caliber on new wet and intermediate tire prototypes is invaluable for refining compounds ahead of the 2025 season. The session also offered a symbolic, early integration for Hamilton with the Ferrari team environment at their home circuit.
The details:
- The test was conducted under Pirelli's exclusive 'blind' testing protocol. Hamilton followed a run-plan dictated entirely by the tire company, with Ferrari unable to test upgrades, evaluate engines, or adjust car settings.
- Hamilton's feedback was reported directly to Pirelli engineers, isolating the data purely for tire development purposes.
- On the first day, he evaluated a new tread design for the full wet Cinturato tire, a prototype previously tested by Red Bull and Racing Bulls at Suzuka.
- A key objective was to analyze the performance crossover point between the full wet and intermediate tire compounds.
- Over the two days, Hamilton covered a total of 884 kilometers (297 laps). His second day alone included 461 km of running (155 laps).
- His best recorded lap time around the short Fiorano circuit was 1:00.470.
What's next:
Pirelli's tire testing program continues apace. The next session is a two-day dry weather test scheduled for the Nürburgring on April 14-15, ahead of the Formula 1 circus returning for the Miami Grand Prix. McLaren and Mercedes are slated to participate in that test, using their regular race drivers.