The challenges Pirelli faces growing all-new 2026 F1 tyres

The 2026 revolution in Method 1 doesn’t simply contain new vehicles and a unique engine formulation. It additionally consists of a completely new era of tyres – a component that performs a vital function in fashionable F1. 

Initially, the FIA needed to change to 16-inch for 2026 to scale back weight, however sole tyre provider Pirelli opposed this for a number of causes, together with highway relevance.

Consequently, F1 will persist with 18-inch tyres, however the brand new wheels will probably be narrower and have a barely smaller diameter as nicely, which ought to nonetheless contribute to weight financial savings in 2026.

Mule vehicles not absolutely consultant of F1 2026 equipment

Subsequent 12 months’s tyres will function an all-new development and new compounds. In depth testing is in full swing, most not too long ago with Aston Martin and Sauber at Silverstone.

Nonetheless, it’s an advanced course of, as Pirelli can’t check its new tyres on 2026-spec vehicles and has to depend on “mule vehicles” – modified vehicles below the present set of laws which might be tailored to simulate the 2026 traits.

Pirelli admits they don’t seem to be actually consultant of subsequent 12 months, and as such, growing the brand new 2026 tyres is to some extent a leap into the unknown.

“I am happy with the event to date, however after all, there are quite a lot of query marks,” Mario Isola, head of Pirelli Motorsport, instructed Motorsport.com.  

“Initially, that is associated to the automotive. We’re utilizing mule vehicles. Groups are doing a great job in making an attempt to present us a automotive that’s as consultant as doable, however they’re nonetheless present vehicles.

“It means they’re vehicles with a unique aero package deal and a unique stage of downforce as nicely. Truly, we estimate that the downforce they’re producing is increased in comparison with what we’ll have subsequent 12 months.

“Which means it is a bit troublesome for us to have a variety of compounds that’s completely centred throughout the efficiency of the automotive.

“If the automotive is stressing the tyres roughly in comparison with what you anticipate, then after all there is a danger to go too aggressive or too conservative with the tyres, as a result of you do not have a transparent thought on what you can see in 2026.”

Nonetheless, Isola sees cause for optimism primarily based on previous expertise: “In 2021, after we had been growing the 18-inch tyre, and it was working fairly nicely in 2022.

Mario Isola, Racing Supervisor, Pirelli Motorsport, on the grid

Picture by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Pictures

“Through the first 12 months with the brand new vehicles, we did not discover any main adjustments that had been wanted on the tyres.”

“Clearly, fine-tunings are at all times obligatory, so I am nonetheless anticipating a tyre in 2027 that’s totally different from the one in 2026,” added Isola, anticipating there to be a greater understanding of the brand new laws as soon as they’re in impact for a 12 months.

A calculated guess for 2026?

Till then, Pirelli should to some extent make a calculated guess primarily based on varied parameters and sources of knowledge that it might look it. The mule vehicles are one in every of them, however can’t be trusted as an absolute benchmark.

“We can’t simply depend on our assessments with the mule vehicles,” added Isola. “We have to cross all the knowledge that’s coming from the monitor with simulations from the groups, what their simulators say about 2026, our digital mannequin and a thermomechanical mannequin of the tyres.

“So, it is various work along with our modelling division, R&D, the testing division, materials division and lots of extra parts.

“We’ve additionally discovered variations between the mule vehicles, every workforce is getting ready a mule automotive another way.”

Lando Norris, McLaren throughout Pirelli check

Picture by: Pirelli

To simulate the diminished downforce ranges of 2026, groups run considerably much less wing than they usually would on a given monitor – however that’s not the one adjustment for the assessments.

“No, it’s not simply in regards to the wings,” stated Isola, “as a result of they’ve to vary the experience peak as nicely, given the brand new tyres are decrease in diameter.

“So, they made some modifications to the vehicles which might be allowed by the FIA with a view to give us probably the most consultant mule vehicles.

“However as I stated, we nonetheless discovered variations throughout the groups. It is helpful for us to check with all of the groups to get a whole image and in addition to get a good suggestion in regards to the variations throughout all mule vehicles.

“However to return to your preliminary query: general, we’re fairly proud of the progress, and we imagine that we are able to have a well-balanced product in 2026.”

Testing of the 2026 tyres will proceed on 5-6 August on the Hungaroring, adopted by extra classes in Monza, Mugello, and Mexico Metropolis.