In partnership with Haas and Ferrari, Pirelli records a rainy first day of testing

Taking advantage of a brief lull in the very busy schedule of the Formula 1, the pilots Haas et Ferrari will be making their driving skills available to test the new Pirelli tire range, in preparation for the 2026 season. The 2026 tires are expected to be reduced in width by 25 mm at the front and 30 mm at the rear.

The Haas drivers, Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman, took to the track at Mugello for the first Pirelli test. Driving a VF-24-based mule fitted with the 2026 tires, the Frenchman completed forty laps with a best time of 1:21.943. Pirelli was due to test the harder 2026 range, but the unpredictable Tuscan weather disrupted these tests. Oliver Bearman ultimately fitted intermediate tires specially adapted for wet conditions. Bearman therefore recorded a best time of 1:34.381 for thirty laps on track, far behind his teammate's on a dry track.

Romain Grosjean also made an unexpected return to the wheel of a Formula 1 car. Five years after his accident on the first lap of the Bahrain GP at the end of 2020, where he miraculously emerged from his car The former Haas driver was excited about the TCP (test on cars at least two years old) organized by his former team. He will be on track this Friday.

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Make way for the red single-seaters for this second day of testing at Mugello

Testing continues this Friday for a second day at the Mugello circuit. The Scuderia's regular driver, Charles Leclerc, and Zhou Guangyu will be driving a prototype inspired by the SF-25. The Chinese driver, a former Sauber driver and Ferrari reserve, will replace Lewis HamiltonThe Briton will miss the tests to care for his dog Roscoe, who has been hospitalized. Light rain is expected at Mugello in the early afternoon, which could further disrupt the Pirelli tests.