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Pirelli Advances Tyre Development for 2026 Formula 1 Season

Pirelli is progressing with the development of its smaller tyre compounds for the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season. This week, Ferrari and McLaren participated in testing harder tyre compounds at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a key stage in the manufacturer’s preparation.

While notable names like Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Lando Norris have garnered attention during the testing sessions, it’s crucial to note that the lap times recorded are not indicative of future performance. These times are largely dictated by Pirelli’s specific testing programs focused on the new prototype tyres and their harder compounds.

Hamilton’s experience in a last year’s Ferrari, including the latest systems and Ferrari’s power unit, could offer valuable insights. However, the primary advantage lies with Pirelli, which faces the challenge of developing tyres that are both narrower—25 mm at the front and 30 mm at the rear—and smaller in diameter, dropping from 720 mm to between 705 mm and 710 mm. These changes are essential for the vastly different car designs expected next year.

The situation is complicated by the fact that Pirelli lacks representative vehicles to test these new tyres effectively, as the 2026 car models will feature significantly lowered drag and reduced downforce due to modifications in design, particularly related to the floor and diffuser.

Initial intentions to reduce overall downforce by 40 percent were scaled back to approximately 15 percent, allaying fears of excessively slower lap times that would have diverged too greatly from current standards. Nevertheless, the new cars will perform differently in terms of how they generate aerodynamic performance, compelling Pirelli to work with modified older models—referred to as mule cars—spanning from 2022 to 2024 to gather accurate data.

Following a preceding test with Aston Martin using its 2022 car and a recent wet compound assessment at Le Castellet, the testing in Barcelona utilized cars equipped with notably lower aerodynamic configurations, resembling designs seen at circuits like Baku and Las Vegas rather than the high-downforce setup typically utilized at Montmelo.

Insights from Pirelli Officials

Pirelli asserts that while these mule cars approximate the expected downforce levels for 2026, they still present challenges in accurately mimicking the loads the new tyres will encounter. To bridge this gap, the company is actively seeking real-time updates and simulations from teams to stay aligned with the evolving requirements.

Mario Isola, Pirelli’s motorsport chief, remarked, “The first tests were mainly dedicated to understanding how the mule cars are performing, as they are quite different. We must update our understanding and tyre designs based on continuous feedback from the teams.” He further emphasized the collaborative effort required, stating, “We cannot solely rely on mule car results; we also provide teams with a virtual model of the tyre for their simulators, which allows us to gather their feedback.”

The shift in downforce generation during racing is anticipated to significantly affect the loads on the smaller 2026 tyres. Pirelli places immense importance on getting the internal structure of these tyres well within the necessary specifications, allowing for adjustments in the compounds later in the development process.

Looking ahead, Pirelli is not solely focused on the anticipated performance in 2026. Teams are expected to uncover rapid enhancements with new regulations, requiring Pirelli to account for potential increases in tyre loads as the season progresses.

A noteworthy factor influencing tyre performance will be the introduction of an advanced aerodynamic feature known as the X-mode. This system modifies the positioning of the front and rear wings on straights, thereby optimizing top speeds compared to the standard Z-mode configuration.

As Isola explained, “Achieving the downforce levels required with both the X-mode and Z-mode presents challenges. We must find the best testing compromise and align our data with that collected from the track. Our initial tests with Aston Martin provided a solid foundation, paving the way for subsequent compound development.”

Challenges & Comparisons with Past Developments

Pirelli is accustomed to navigating complex challenges in tyre development. Isola acknowledged that preparing for the 2026 regulations might be slightly more manageable than the hurdles faced during the 2017 transition to wider cars with increased downforce, where mule car results were difficult to approximate. Similarly, the shift to ground-effect based cars in 2022 presented its own set of challenges.

In comparing the past with the present, Isola stated, “The situation mirrors what we faced during 2017 and 2022 when developing tyres for entirely new car designs. Although in 2016 we predicted a significant increase in downforce, trying to replicate such performance with mule cars proved impossible. The approach to load generation in current cars is vastly different from what will be seen in 2026. For instance, while today’s cars experience heavy loads on straights, future designs will likely encounter reduced loading at high speeds. Therefore, our comparisons must take these changes into account.”

Conclusion on Barcelona Testing

The test sessions conducted in Barcelona represent a critical juncture for Pirelli as it strives to refine its products for the anticipated technical changes in 2026. The collaboration with teams and continuous data exchange will be vital as the season progresses towards the implementation of the new regulations.

Source
www.motorsport.com