Hamilton to Conduct Pirelli Test for Ferrari, Ricciardo Reflects on Verstappen Partnership

Lewis Hamilton is set to participate in a Pirelli wet-weather test with Ferrari this week, as teams utilize an enforced break in the F1 calendar. In a separate reflection, Daniel Ricciardo has admitted that staying as Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull could have risked his career being "obliterated."

Why it matters:

Hamilton's immediate involvement in a Ferrari test, even before officially joining the team, underscores the critical importance of tire data collection for the 2025 season and beyond. It signals a proactive start to his future partnership. Ricciardo's candid admission provides a rare glimpse into the immense psychological pressure of being a top driver's teammate and reshapes the narrative around his pivotal 2018 career decision.

The details:

• Ferrari's Test Plans: Ferrari will conduct a two-day wet-weather Pirelli test at their Fiorano circuit on April 9-10. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are scheduled to drive, a specific request from Pirelli to gather data from the team's primary drivers.
• Other Team Activities: During the April break, several other teams have testing plans.
  • Mercedes and McLaren will send drivers to the Nürburgring for a Pirelli test on April 14-15, with George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri participating.
  • Williams plans a Test of a Previous Car, weather permitting.
  • Red Bull, having already tested at Suzuka, and Aston Martin currently have no testing plans announced.
• Ricciardo's Reflection: In an interview, Daniel Ricciardo openly questioned whether staying at Red Bull alongside the rapidly improving Max Verstappen would have been sustainable. He acknowledged the possibility that Verstappen could have "obliterated" him over time, potentially ending his career sooner.
• A Career Crossroads: Ricciardo's move to Renault in 2019 created a major 'what if' in F1. He stated that while he was competitive with Verstappen during their time as teammates, the decision to leave involved both emotion and a pragmatic assessment of the future dynamic.

What's next:

The data from the Pirelli tests will be analyzed by the tire manufacturer and shared with all teams, contributing to ongoing tire development. For Hamilton, these laps in a Ferrari represent the first tangible steps in his historic 2025 transition. Ricciardo's comments add a layer of historical context to his current chapter at Racing Bulls, as he continues to fight for his future on the grid, armed with the hard-earned perspective of his past choices.