Ferrari kick-started 18-inch tyre testing with Pirelli

In association with Scuderia Ferrari, Pirelli began its three-day testing programme at Jerez with the aim of fine-tuning its brand-new 2022 F1 18-inch tyres.

Pirelli is set to introduce an all-new 18-inch tyre specification for 2022 which will replace the current 13-inch tyres. The 18-inch tyres were due to make their debut this year, but the coronavirus pandemic-induced difficulties forced the sport to postpone their introduction by a year. The tyre testing programme which was schedule for 2020 was also ditched owing to the Covid-19 situation.

The Italian tyre supplier had asked the FIA to increase the tyre testing programme planned for 2020 in order to get fully prepared for the introduction of the 18-inch tyres. The Paris-based governing body has granted the Italian manufacturer a 30-day test with each of the ten Formula One teams having three days at its disposal in 2020.

Ferrari kick-started the 30-day test programme yesterday with Charles Leclerc behind the wheel. The Monégasque drove the SF90 that had been modified according to the specifications required for fitting the tyre with new dimensions.

The 23-year-old driver completed a total of 110 laps using both full wet and intermediate tyres. Today's programme will see Carlos Sainz get behind the wheel of the SF90 with the Spaniard expected to continue the testing of the rain tyres before Ferrari’s driver line-up turns its attention to the slick tyres on Wednesday.