Pirelli: F1 teams kick off 2023 testing programme at Imola

©Pirelli

Four F1 teams - Alpha Tauri, Alfa Romeo, Alpine and Ferrari – have stayed on at Imola to kick off Pirelli's 2023 tyre testing programme.

Pirelli has earmarked 18 car days this year for the development of its 2023 product.

However, the Italian manufacturer has struggled to put together its calendar of test days due to the number of back-to-back races on F1's schedule.

Logistically, Pirelli can't handle a mid-week test between two races held on consecutive weekends, which restricted teams from running at Barcelona or Silverstone after the Spanish and British GPs.

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Pirelli testing will however take place after the Austrian, Hungarian and Italian GPs, while a single day test is also scheduled to take place at Imola.

The 18 days of testing will be spread across nine teams, with Haas not participating. Contrary to previous years, this year's programme will involve F1's latest spec cars.

On Tuesday at Imola, Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo) and Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) took to the track amid dry conditions.

The Enstone squad will be replaced by Ferrari on Wednesday, with the Scuderia running both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, while Robert Kubica and Yuki Tsunoda are in action today with their respective teams at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

Pirelli tyre testing calendar

April 26, Imola: AlphaTauri, Alfa Romeo, Alpine
April 27, Imola: AlphaTauri, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari
June 24, Mugello: Ferrari
July 12, Red Bull Ring: McLaren, Williams, Red Bull
July 13, Red Bull Ring: McLaren, Williams, Alpine
August 2, Hungaroring: Mercedes, Aston Martin
August 3, Hungaroring: Mercedes, Aston Martin
September 13, Monza: Red Bull

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.