Lewis Hamilton tests Ferrari SF-26 at Fiorano during Pirelli wet tyre session

Lewis Hamilton completed 142 laps in Ferrari's SF-26 during a Pirelli wet-tyre test at the team's private Fiorano circuit, setting a fastest lap time of 1:01.031. The two-day session is part of Ferrari's planned activities during the April break, which will culminate in a filming day at the high-speed Monza circuit later this month ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

This test represents a crucial opportunity for Hamilton to gain more mileage in the Ferrari ahead of his official race debut with the team in 2026. For Ferrari, it serves dual purposes: collecting vital data for Pirelli's wet-weather tyre development and allowing the team to conduct further systems checks and optimization, particularly for energy management, on a car that will receive a significant upgrade package in Miami.

The details:

• Pirelli confirmed the test details, noting the track was artificially soaked using Fiorano's irrigation system to create consistent wet conditions with ambient temperatures of 21°C.
• Hamilton's program involved testing various configurations of the Full Wet tyre in the morning before switching to different Intermediate tyre variants in the afternoon.
• The test is one of three scheduled outings for Ferrari during the break, following a previous TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) session at Mugello.
• Ferrari has yet to use either of its two permitted filming days for the 2026 season, with the Monza event later this month set to be the first, aimed at generating new promotional content for partners.
• Other teams are also conducting similar Pirelli tests, with Mercedes and McLaren set to run at the Nürburgring next week—the first time current F1 cars will run there since 2020.

What's next:

Hamilton will return to the SF-26 for the second day of the wet-tyre test at Fiorano on Friday. The focus then shifts to the team's filming day at Monza on April 22, a strategic choice for a circuit that heavily stresses the power unit and energy recovery systems. Team Principal Fred Vasseur has hinted that the postponed major upgrade, originally slated for the cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix, has been expanded to a "package and a half" destined for the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, where Ferrari hopes to close the performance gap to rivals like Mercedes.