Two days of rehearsals in Barcelona for the development of the tires for 2026 and for the simulation of the aerodynamic load
Charles and Lewis return to the track tomorrow, still at Montmelò. This time, however, with the SF-24, that is, with the cars of last year. Therefore for Hamilton a sort of upgrade, compared to the two releases carried out in Fiorano and then, last week, on the same Catalan track, both, as per TPC test regulation, with the SF-23. That is, with cars at least two years old. However, those of tomorrow and Wednesdays will not be managed by Ferrari. In fact, these are Pirelli tests, necessary for the development of the tires for 2026. And moreover the SF-24 will be modified to simulate the aerodynamic load of the next regulation in force by the same year.
an opportunity
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Normally this type of test involve the discrepancy between what Pirelli would like, or the best possible drivers, and the will of the team, as well as the enthusiasm – understandably scarce – of the same owners. Especially since the teams of the teams have very little margin of maneuver on the structures, of the relevance of Pirelli. Many of the data are not even accessible. Less than the mixes with which the various laps will be made. The same this time certainly the question did not ask itself. Especially for Hamilton who precisely sees in the two days the opportunity to get to know many aspects of cars better that they have so much with what he will guide this year. Starting with the Brembo braking system with which in recent weeks he is getting to know. And without neglecting the dynamics of the box, the same knowledge of the men with whom it will work. Aspects that do not concern Leclerc, of course. Yet even for him a couple of days on the track, with the SF-24, they can only be useful to return to the ball in view of the real tests, the only ones before the start of the championship, scheduled in the three days between the 26 and 28 February on the Sakhir circuit, in Bahrain.
also McLaren
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At Montmelò Ferrari will not be alone. The protagonist of the two days Pirelli will also be McLaren. And it will be curious to see the two teams on each other who fought for the 2024 manufacturers’ title, which went to the British. In the same way, the Woking team will also prepare a MCL38, that is, a 2024 car, with the appropriate changes to simulate the load (which should be lower than the current one) provided by the regulation for 2026. Unlike Ferraristi there is that The two of McLaren, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, for Pirelli this year have already shot, on 29 and 30 January, to the feated Paul Ricard to test wet tires and intermediates.
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