Mercedes and McLaren rack up miles in Nürburgring tyre test

Mercedes and McLaren took a break this week from Formula 1’s April hiatus as the two teams converged to the Nürburgring for a crucial two-day Pirelli tyre test.

Across Tuesday and Wednesday, the outfits’ regular race drivers took to the track, combining heavy mileage with detailed feedback as the sport’s exclusive tyre supplier continued the development of its next-generation compounds.

Day one saw George Russell lead the way with an impressive 127 laps for Mercedes, while Oscar Piastri endured a more frustrating outing, limited to just 65 laps after a technical issue interrupted his running.

By Wednesday, the workload shifted. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli logged 109 laps, narrowly edging Lando Norris, who completed 108 tours of the demanding circuit.

The focus throughout remained on refining Pirelli’s C3 compound — the middle ground in its C1 to C5 range – though teams also sampled softer tyre options to broaden the data pool.

Drivers embrace the challenge

For Norris, the test was as much about contributing to the sport’s evolution as it was about rediscovering a circuit steeped in history.

"This test was a very productive two days for us,” he said. “The aim was to help Pirelli with their tyre development for the future, and we provided as much detailed feedback as we could.

“It’s been a while since we’ve driven here at the Nurburgring, so it’s great to get back out on track. I've driven here in pretty much every category, so it’s cool to be able to drive it in this era of Formula 1 cars."

Piastri – who last visited the Nürburgring in 2019 during his winning campaign in Formula Renault Eurocup – echoed that sentiment, balancing the technical purpose of the test with an appreciation for the Nürburgring’s unique character.

“It was good to get back in the car during this break, with the focus on helping Pirelli gather information on these tyres,” Piastri added.

“Overall, it was a useful day. We can’t make any changes in these tests, but it’s always good to get the opportunity to make sure all systems work and to get a better understanding of the car, especially with the new regulations.

• Read also: Russell calls for F1’s return to the Nürburgring after Pirelli test

“We obviously don’t race here, but it’s still nice to experience such a unique circuit again. The Nürburgring is an old-school track with the kerbs and run-offs, which makes it more rewarding when you get things right.

“We’ll spend a bit of time back in Woking now as we prepare to go racing again in Miami.”

Mercedes and McLaren’s outing at the Ring follows a massive 297-lap wet-weather test by Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari at Fiorano last week.

And Pirelli’s development programme will resume in mid-May at Magny-Cours, where the focus will once again shift to perfecting the sport's wet-weather rubber.

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