Pirelli is turning the April break into a giant testing ground for its tires

Although there are no Grand Prix races in April, Formula 1 isn't slowing down. Taking advantage of this break in the calendar, Pirelli is ramping up test sessions around the world, bringing together several teams and drivers to prepare tomorrow's tires—from artificial rain at Fiorano to a waterlogged track at Suzuka and a symbolic return to the Nürburgring.

While the paddock enjoys a rare breather in the heart of spring, activity remains intense behind the scenes. With no races taking place due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, Pirelli has taken control of the track to make progress on a crucial project: the development of its tires, a central element of performance and safety in Formula 1.

Fiorano, a rain-soaked testing ground for Hamilton and Ferrari

The first phase of this program took place at the private Fiorano circuit. Ferrari made its facilities and Lewis Hamilton available for two days dedicated to rain tires. On a track deliberately sprayed with water, the Briton completed a series of stints to test various configurations of full-wet and intermediate tires.

The goal was not pure performance but data collection, with over 140 laps completed in a single day.
Under artificial conditions, Pirelli seeks to improve the performance of its tires in heavy rain, a major challenge to ensure competitive races even in extreme conditions.

Before Italy, the first insights were gathered in Japan. Immediately after the Suzuka Grand Prix, Red Bull and Racing Bulls drove on a naturally waterlogged track to test rain and intermediate tires. In these tricky conditions, French driver Isack Hadjar stood out by setting the fastest lap time, following a long series of laps designed to maximize data collection. These tests marked the first step in a development schedule carefully planned by the Italian manufacturer.

Heading to the Nürburgring for dry-weather tires

The spring tour continues in Germany, with a highly anticipated return of Formula 1 to the Nürburgring—the first since 2020. Mercedes and McLaren are expected there for two days of testing, this time focused on slick tires. The choice of the circuit, located near the home bases of several teams, makes sense from both a practical and technical standpoint. It's also an opportunity to test the new-generation F1 cars on this legendary track.