F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Leclerc completes Ferrari's first 18-inch tyre test

Even before a packed week of official 2020 car launches followed by the start of pre-season testing in Barcelona on February 19, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has already been back in action behind the wheel and out on track at Spain’s Circuito de Jerez.

After a delay due to early morning fog, Leclerc reportedly completed a total of 130 laps of the circuit in a closed session on Saturday without incident. The team refused permission for the release of any pictures from the session.

Ferrari were getting their first taste of the new 18-inch tyre compounds that will be introduced to the sport in 12 months time as part of a sweeping series of reforms of the sport's rules and regulations.

Renault, McLaren and Mercedes have already tried out the new Pirelli tyres last season, but Ferrari deferred their own trial until the start of 2020. Pirelli has also released details of how the test programme would continue in 2020.

However it doesn't mean Ferrari gets a jump on the new season on other teams in terms of trying out the new hardware. Leclerc was using a 2019-spec SF90 specially adapted for the new tyres, a so-called 'mule' car that will give them no advantage over their rivals.

But the 22-year-old Monaco-born racer was still happy to get the opportunity to blow away the cobwebs with five weeks to go until the Australian Grand Prix.

"Ahhh, it's so good to be back in the car. 1st test day of 2020 done!" he posted on social media after completing his day's work.

© Pirelli

Ferrari's actual 2020 car will be presented to the media on Tuesday, February 11 at the Romolo Valli Theater in Reggio Emilia.

Leclerc and his team mate Sebastian Vettel will be in attendance for the event along with senior management including team principal Mattia Binotto.

There will be two three-day pre-season test sessions at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - February 19-21 and 26-28.

Before the teams head to Australia for the first race of the season on March 15, Ferrari will be back in action again on the 18-inch tyres, this time at Fiorano for a wet-weather tyre test for Pirelli on March 6.

©Ferrari

Only the top three teams will take part in wet-tyre testing at circuits that can simulate rainy conditions which includes the Circuit Paul Ricard.

Subsequently, Renault and Mercedes will be on tyre testing duty in Bahrain on March 24-25 immediately fallowing the Bahrain GP.

And Red Bull, Alfa Romeo and Renault will get some track time at Barcelona on May 12-13 following the Spanish GP. All teams will be required to run on 18-inch compounds for the post-season test in December.

Here's the full Pirelli tyre testing schedule for 2020:

  • February 8, Jerez - Ferrari
  • March 5, Fiorano - WET - Ferrari
  • March 24, Sakhir - Renault
  • March 25, Sakhir - Mercedes
  • May 12, Barcelona - Red Bull/Alfa Romeo/Renault
  • May 13, Barcelona - Red Bull/Alfa Romeo
  • May 26, Paul Ricard - WET - Red Bull
  • May 27, Paul Ricard - WET - Red Bull
  • July 7, Red Bull Ring - AlphaTauri
  • Jul 8, Red Bull Ring - AlphaTauri
  • July 21, Silverstone - Racing Point/Williams/McLaren
  • July 22, Silverstone - Racing Point/Williams
  • Septemper 8, Paul Ricard - McLaren
  • September 9, Paul Ricard - Mercedes/Ferrari
  • September 10, Paul Ricard - WET - Mercedes
  • September 11, Paul Ricard - WET - Mercedes
  • October 13, Suzuka - Haas
  • October 14, Suzuka - Haas

© Pirelli

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.

Recent Posts

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

2 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

3 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

5 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

7 hours ago

Mercedes fined for starting grid tyre pressure infringement

The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…

7 hours ago

Hamilton’s woes deepen after battling ‘plank of wood’ car in Brazil

Despite his best efforts, a lowly tenth-place finish was as good as it got for…

9 hours ago