Lewis Hamilton dismissed a recent Madrid street circuit test as offering “hardly any” advantage for Ferrari ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Madrid Circuit: Dusty Test Conditions
Ferrari ran its SF‑26 for 200 km on demonstration Pirelli tyres during a filming day that mirrored a full‑scale grand prix. Hamilton noted the track was “super super dusty” with almost no grip, and the team limited power to protect the shell rather than seeking lap‑time data.
Ferrari’s SF‑26 Experience
The team performed a short series of laps, never pushing to flat‑out corners, because the event was a media shoot rather than a true performance test. With low power output, the drivers could only outline the circuit layout, leaving grip and tyre behaviour largely untested.
Leclerc on Saturday’s Challenge
Charles Leclerc called the Madrid layout “a very challenging track” and predicted limited overtaking opportunities. He added that qualifying was expected to be exciting as drivers looked to exploit the corner sequence, but controlling the dusty surface would remain a key issue.
Organisers Highlight Logistics
Race organisers described the July session as an effort to trial “the logistics and coordination required for a Formula 1 event,” deploying full race‑weekend personnel and equipment to validate operational procedures.
With dust still right on track, the weekend will test both skill and procedural readiness at the Spanish Grand Prix.
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