Leclerc racks up mileage for Ferrari in Paul Ricard F1 test

New Ferrari Formula 1 signing Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas racked up the mileage in the latest two-day Pirelli tyre test at Paul Ricard.

Leclerc completed the equivalent of more than two race distances at the French Grand Prix venue as he turned in 129 laps in his first outing in Ferrari’s SF71H since his graduation from Sauber to the Scuderia was confirmed from next season.

His new 2019 teammate Sebastian Vettel took over running for Ferrari on Friday, adding a further 121 laps to the Italian team’s total.

Mercedes also took part in the test with Bottas getting behind the wheel of its W09 as he racked up a combined total of 214 laps across the two days.

The tyre tests are strictly controlled and managed by Pirelli, ensuring no team gains any advantage from the test, which restricts upgrades from being used.

Pirelli is permitted 25 days of running each season, with all 10 competing teams running throughout the year.

Renault and Sauber are the next teams scheduled to conduct testing for Pirelli following upcoming races in Japan and Mexico respectively.

The Italian tyre manufacturer has been F1’s sole tyre supplier since 2011 but reports suggest Korean company Hankook is set to rival Pirelli for the 2020-2023 tyre cycle.

#F1Testing continues! Laps, laps, laps and more laps for our dancing duo @ScuderiaFerrari @MercedesAMGF1! pic.twitter.com/o0YsKswQhX

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) September 21, 2018