WATCH: Charles Leclerc back on track for Pirelli tyre test 2025

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has been back on track at the Mugello Circuit this week, participating in an important Pirelli tyre test as part of preparations for the 2025 Formula 1 season. After a rain-affected start, the weather cleared up, allowing Leclerc and other drivers to put significant laps under their belts and contribute to Pirelli's ongoing tyre development programme.

The test, which took place over two days, featured participation from several top teams, including Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari. Alongside Leclerc, his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz, McLaren’s Lando Norris, and Red Bull's Liam Lawson also took part in the session, testing compounds for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Lawson, the New Zealand driver who will be stepping in for Daniel Ricciardo at the upcoming United States Grand Prix, also took this opportunity to fine-tune his F1 race experience before the big race in Austin.

Here is the video:

Back in the saddle for some @pirellisport testing 👊 pic.twitter.com/wnENtNDYRt

— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) October 9, 2024

Tuesday’s session was hampered by rain, forcing the teams to use intermediate tyres. However, Wednesday's improved weather conditions meant drivers could switch to slick tyres as the track dried. Leclerc drove in the afternoon session for Ferrari, after Sainz handled the morning duties. Pirelli engineers ran two parallel testing programmes: Ferrari and Red Bull focused on developing the hardest tyres in the planned 2025 range, while McLaren tested prototype 2026 tyres using a mule car.

Lando Norris did 118 laps in testing!

Leclerc managed to complete 79 laps, with his best time of 1m 21.053s, closely following the lap times of his teammate and competitors. Lando Norris led the field in terms of distance covered, clocking 118 laps with a best time of 1m 21.302s, while Lawson completed 116 laps with a time of 1m 23.219s. Sainz managed 77 laps with a best time of 1m 21.890s.

This tyre test provided essential data for Pirelli’s engineers as they continue developing future compounds, particularly the 2025 range. Leclerc's efforts also highlighted Ferrari’s commitment to ensuring their performance remains sharp for the seasons ahead. For Lawson, this test was vital in familiarizing himself with F1 machinery again before stepping up to race in the highly anticipated US Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas next week.

Pirelli’s next test, focusing on 2025 tyre development, is scheduled for October 25 during the Mexico City Grand Prix’s second free practice session. Additionally, testing for the 2026 prototype tyres will resume in November at Magny-Cours in France.