Mercedes and Ferrari completed the first in-season Pirelli F1 tyre test for 2024, with three regular drivers driving at Barcelona along with Mick Schumacher.
With the Spanish GP done, Mercedes and Ferrari stayed back for the first of the in-season Pirelli F1 tyre testing of the slick compounds for the 2024 season. The former ran George Russell and Schumacher, will the latter had Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Even though the proposed construction for 2024 will be introduced in this year’s British GP, Pirelli are still pushing ahead towards more robust tyres for next season as the loads increase due to the F1 cars getting faster and faster in this new era.
Tuesday saw Mercedes fielding Russell, fresh from his Spanish GP podium, while Schumacher got his first taste of the W14 in the flesh on Wednesday, completing 152 laps. Leclerc drove his Ferrari on Tuesday with 167 laps in his bag, Sainz did 170 on Wednesday.
“It was great,” said Schumacher. “I learned a lot and it was a lot of fun. It was a very productive day; we got through everything we wanted to and ran every test tyre on the plan. It was also good to have that first experience of the tyres without any blankets. Obviously having not driven in a while, I felt it physically, but it was good to be back in the driving seat.
“This experience will definitely benefit me in my role. I have a better understanding of what to look out for and what to work on. I also have a better understanding of all the procedures and how the Team works trackside. That would be a key factor in case I ever have to jump in and race.
“There is obviously a difference between the simulator and driving in the real world. There will always be a difference as the technology is not at a point where you can compare it 100%. However, it is the closest experience I’ve had between a simulator and real life. The simulator has prepared me, and the Team has made a great effort of correlating it.
“That helped me to know what to expect when driving it. It’s clear why this Team is an eight-time World Champion. I’m very excited for the rest of the year. I’ve had a great time today and hopefully I’ll be back in a car at some point. I loved every bit of it! I want to say a big thank you to everybody for this opportunity.”
Miles on the clock for W14. 🖤📈 pic.twitter.com/YO0UqopGR4
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 6, 2023
Tuesday afternoons never looked or sounded so good. 🔊🙌 pic.twitter.com/3yz1Gpbwmp
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 6, 2023
Test day: Complete. ✅✌️ pic.twitter.com/RGUVMWxxqw
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 6, 2023
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 6, 2023
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 6, 2023
Good morning from Barcelona. ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/e8gjn32xoX
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 7, 2023
All settled in. 👌 pic.twitter.com/DYmg6D8ixG
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 7, 2023
Back doing what he loves. 💛 pic.twitter.com/XfqshuUmTz
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 7, 2023
47. 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/pUh4hqnmui
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 7, 2023
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 7, 2023
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 7, 2023
Sunshine, W14 and @GeorgeRussell63. ☀️
Setting off for #F1Testing. 😍 pic.twitter.com/eq7k4O5yZS
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 6, 2023
The sound of @F1 cars on track on a Tuesday. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/50krDjXyYe
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 6, 2023
GR + MS. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/W89sMyCpFz
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 6, 2023
“Box, box.” 📦
End of the day for @GeorgeRussell63 in Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/kBpYBUW3Ct
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 6, 2023
“Looking forward to seeing you all in Canada.” 💙
GR signing off from Barcelona. 👋 pic.twitter.com/BqYOUBRjb5
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 6, 2023
First laps in W14 for @SchumacherMick. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/jgWJoetwaT
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 7, 2023
*Your Mick Schumacher track content order has been delivered.* 👌 pic.twitter.com/XulMS6YDA6
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 7, 2023
📋 MICK. pic.twitter.com/twx2lyJO0T
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 7, 2023
152 laps later. 💪
End of running for @SchumacherMick in Barcelona. 👏 pic.twitter.com/HLjVnCNSF7
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 7, 2023
“It was epic! I feel so embedded in this Team having driven the car.” 🙏
A happy @SchumacherMick debriefs his test day in Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/ZfkcAiDr1j
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 7, 2023
Rolling out 😎
Our #F1Testing has started with @pirellisport! Busy day in the car ahead for @Charles_Leclerc 👊 pic.twitter.com/EoAK4iwJ8J— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) June 6, 2023
167 laps on the board today for @Charles_Leclerc at #F1Testing 📷
Carlos will be in the car tomorrow for more @pirellisport work 📷📷 pic.twitter.com/UXNWLoDmm8
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) June 6, 2023
Day 2️⃣, let’s do this 👊@CarlosSainz55 is out on track for more #F1Testing in Barcelona 😎🌶️@pirellisport pic.twitter.com/NmE9NzefxE
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) June 7, 2023
🗣️ “170 laps… which is a lot more than two races!” 😅
Hear from @Carlossainz55 after he completes our #F1Testing with @pirellisport.
Next stop, Canada 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/6AYxExDHrd
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) June 7, 2023
Here’s Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc on disastrous Spanish GP
Here’s Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris hit