Lewis Hamilton has pulled out of Ferrari’s scheduled Pirelli tyre test at Mugello today, with reserve driver Zhou Guanyu taking his place.

The seven-time world champion was meant to join team-mate Charles Leclerc for the crucial 2026 tyre development session at the Italian circuit.

The British driver’s absence follows concerning news about his dog Roscoe’s health, which emerged on Wednesday evening through Hamilton’s social media channels.

Italian Formula 1 journalist Rosario Giuliana confirmed the withdrawal, stating: “For understandable reasons, Lewis Hamilton will not take part in tomorrow’s Pirelli test, with Zhou joining Leclerc in his place.”

Lewis Hamilton has pulled out of Ferrari’s scheduled Pirelli tyre test at Mugello today, with reserve driver Zhou Guanyu taking his place | REUTERS

Hamilton shared a photograph on Wednesday evening showing Roscoe receiving treatment at a veterinary facility, with the bulldog shown inside an oxygen kennel surrounded by blankets.

The 40-year-old racing driver posted an emotional message alongside the image: “It’s been a scary few hours, everyone please keep Roscoe in your thoughts and prayers.”

Lewis Hamilton asked for fans’ ‘thoughts and prayers’ after his dog Roscoe fell taken ill | GETTY

Earlier this year, Hamilton disclosed that Roscoe had been diagnosed with pneumonia, though he had recovered from that illness.

No updates regarding Roscoe’s current condition have been provided since Wednesday’s social media post.

The Mugello test session focuses on evaluating Pirelli’s newly developed rubber for the 2026 Formula 1 season, which features significant dimensional changes.

The modifications, that include altering the front tyre width, align with the regulation changes planned for next year, affecting both chassis design and engine specifications.

Ferrari’s testing programme involves a specially adapted ‘mule’ car, engineered to replicate the anticipated handling characteristics of future F1 machinery.

The Mugello test session focuses on evaluating Pirelli’s newly developed rubber for the 2026 Formula 1 season, which features significant dimensional changes | REUTERS

Haas are also conducting tests at Mugello this week, having completed sessions on Tuesday with Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman driving a modified version of their 2024 car.

The American team has arranged a particularly notable appearance for Friday, with Romain Grosjean set to drive a Formula 1 car for the first time since his horrific accident at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Frenchman will participate in a Testing of Previous Cars session, marking his return to F1 machinery nearly five years after the fiery crash that ended his grand prix career.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had previously pledged to arrange a test for Grosjean in a Silver Arrow, though this opportunity never came to fruition.