Norris outpaces Ferrari drivers in Barcelona tyre test

©Pirelli

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McLaren and Ferrari are on site at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona for two days this week as Pirelli conducts its second 2026 tyre development test of the year.

Formula 1’s exclusive tyre supplier kicked off its development sessions last week at Paul Ricard where McLaren put the Italian manufacturer’s future extreme wet and intermediate rubber through their paces.

Tuesday's action saw Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc share a ‘mule’ version of Ferrari’s 2024-spec SF-24 – the team’s latest design – while Lando Norris drove McLaren’s specially adapted MCL60 on Tuesday.

Pirelli tested various combinations of construction and compound, selecting the latter from the hardest end of the range (C1 to C3) as they are well suited to the Spanish track, which puts significant demands on tyres.

The three drivers completed a total of 332 laps in dry conditions.

Lap times in tyre testing hold little significance, but for what it’s worth, Norris topped the timesheets with a fastest lap of 1m15.215s while completing 159 laps.

©Pirelli

Hamilton was the quicker of Ferrari’s two drivers, the Briton recording a best time of 1m15.930s over 87 laps.

Leclerc, meanwhile, completed 86 laps, with his best effort clocking in at 1m16.060s.

Pirelli’s tyre test continues on Wednesday in Barcelona, with Hamilton and Leclerc again sharing driving duties for Ferrari, while Oscar Piastri takes over from Norris at McLaren.

Read also: McLaren completes at Paul Ricard first test with Pirelli 2026 tyres

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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.