Lewis Hamilton posts quickest time in private Ferrari tyre test
Lewis Hamilton was in action on Thursday (April 9) as he took to the track at the Ferrari-owned Fiorano Circuit, with the Scuderia driver clocking an impressive fastest lap time.
Despite F1 currently being on a break before its return in Miami during the first week of May, Hamilton took part in the opening day of artificial wet-tyre testing.
According to PlanetF1, Pirelli confirmed that the seven-time world champion registered a quickest time of 1:01.031 on the first day of the two-day event, with Hamilton completing 142 laps while testing several different wet tyres.
Hamilton has enjoyed a positive start to the 2026 campaign, securing one podium – finishing third in China – meaning he is currently fourth in the drivers’ standings, behind his team-mate Charles Leclerc and Mercedes duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
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Ferrari’s rivals, Mercedes and McLaren, will take part in testing at the Nürburgring in Germany next week.
In a statement, Pirelli said: “The first day of Pirelli testing dedicated to the development of wet-weather compounds concluded today at the Fiorano circuit.
“Lewis Hamilton completed 142 laps of Ferrari’s private track, covering a total of 423 kilometres, as he tested various full wet tyre configurations throughout the morning and into the early afternoon.
“The programme then concluded with a number of runs on different intermediate tyre variants to round off the day.
“The track was artificially watered using the circuit’s irrigation system, creating consistent wet conditions, with ambient temperatures reaching 21°C.
“The fastest lap of the day was a 1:01.031.
“The British driver will be back on track tomorrow to continue the wet-weather testing programme.”
Hamilton returned for the second day of testing on Friday (April 10). Leclerc did not take part in the tyre testing as he focuses on simulator work.
Ferrari are also expected to hold a filming day at Monza later in April. A filming day allows teams to capture limited footage, usually for promotional purposes.
Despite Ferrari already faring much better in 2026 than last season, team principal Fred Vasseur has hinted that the Italian outfit may roll out major upgrades ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.
It is reported that Ferrari planned to use the upgrades at the Bahrain Grand Prix, but the event – as well as the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – has since been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“From Miami onwards, there will probably be another championship,” Vasseur said after the Japanese Grand Prix.
“Starting from Miami, a new championship will begin; we need to keep focusing on ourselves and rack up as many points as possible.
“The season will be very long and the pace of progress just as relentless, so we mustn’t let the current situation intimidate us.”
He added: “We were planning to introduce a good package for Bahrain, so it will be postponed for Miami.
“We’ll try to see if we can introduce parts that were supposed to arrive later.
“We might be able to do a package and a half for Miami.”
Hamilton last won the Drivers’ Championship in 2020.
Topics: Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Formula 1
Luke Davies