Pirelli was forced to alter the run plan of its final day of tyre testing before F1's summer shutdown after a change in the weather at Spa Francorchamps. Following a dry day at the Belgian Grand Prix circuit on Tuesday that allowed considerable development and evaluation of the new slick compounds for next year, the Italian manufacturer had expected a repeat on Wednesday given the forecast. The dry running compared different solutions relating to construction and tread pattern on a particularly severe track like Spa. But as can often happen given the capricious nature of the weather in the Ardennes, rain struck the circuit at 10am local time, and was often quite heavy thereafter. In consultation with the two teams on hand for the testing, Aston Martin and Alpine, Pirelli altered its programme. That resulted in Aston Martin reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne conducting a previously agreed back-up programme, focusing on developing the extreme and intermediate tyres. Vandoorne completed 71 laps, mainly on a wet track. Alpine's Jack Doohan managed only 15 laps before the rain fell. The next test aimed at 2025 tyre development takes place in the week following the Italian Grand Prix, on September 3 and 4. Red Bull, RB and Mercedes will be on hand at Monza to support Pirelli.
Most read
