Pirelli confirm 18 inch testing schedule as Leclerc gets his chance at Jerez

Jerez staged the Pirelli test for the 2021 18 inch tyres, giving Charles Leclerc the opportunity to get back into the cockpit as he clocked up 130 laps. 

The Monegasque had a breakout season in 2019 as he finished fourth in the Drivers' Championship, securing two wins and topping the qualifying charts. Once he got out on the Jerez Circuit, the Monegasque completed 130 laps and expressed his relief on Twitter as he got back in the car.

Ahhh, it's so good to be back in the car. 1st test day of 2020 done pic.twitter.com/N41egYxVsK

— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) February 8, 2020

When can everyone else test the new tyres?

Earlier in the day, Pirelli confirmed the other opportunities for teams to test the new 18 inch tyres. Ferrari will have another go in Fiorano, whilst Renault and Mercedes will have a chance in Bahrain on day one and day two of testing respectively. Red Bull and Max Verstappen's first chance will come at the Circuit de Catalunya May. 

Now that #Fit4F1 18-inch testing is done @circuitodejerez, here’s the schedule for our private #F1testing with all the teams for the rest of 2020, using mule cars with 18-inch 2021 prototype tyres @F1 pic.twitter.com/xFLh7zejtm

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) February 9, 2020