Lawson tests in Red Bull while McLaren run smaller 2026 F1 tyres · RaceFans

October 10, 2024

Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari all participated in testing for Pirelli at Mugello this week.

The test at the circuit which held the Tuscan Grand Prix four years ago focused on revised compounds for next year and the new, slightly smaller tyres F1 will switch to in 2026.

McLaren became the second team after Aston Martin to test the latter. Lando Norris drove on both days in a mule car designed to help simulate the lower downforce levels which the 2026 regulations are expected to provide, notwithstanding a recent agreement to relax part of the new rules.

Liam Lawson, who will return to F1 competition for RB in next week’s United States Grand Prix, drove for their sister team Red Bull on both days. Ferrari ran a single car on Wednesday, sharing the workload between their two race drivers.

Heavy rain on Tuesday prevented much useful running on the first day of the test. Conditions were so poor at one stage the medical helicopter was unable to fly and therefore no testing could take place.

Conditions improved on Wednesday and drivers completed a significant amount of running in the morning using the intermediate rubber. Pirelli said the demanding nature of the high-speed Mugello layout made that running especially useful.

As the weather improved, drivers were able to switch to soft tyres shortly before noon and the quartet completed over 300 laps between them. Norris, the only driver on the 2026 tyres, did the most, covering 118 and setting a best time of 1’21.302. Charles Leclerc set the quickest time with a 1’21.053, almost five seconds off Lewis Hamilton’s pole position time at the 2020 grand prix.

Leclerc did 79 laps, team mate Sainz 77 and Lawson covered 116 in the Red Bull. Alpine will be next to test the 2026 tyres at Magny-Cours in November.

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