Keyword: test
The long development and validation testing programme to define the tyres for 2026 officially ends in Mexico City. After the Grand Prix, Pirelli will return to the track on Tuesday, October 28 and Wednesday, October 29, together with the Sauber and Mercedes teams, for the final test of the softer compounds in the range, ahead of the definitive validation scheduled for December 15, the constructions having already been validated on September 1.
The development of the new tyres took place over 15 test sessions, each lasting two days, held in seven different countries. Three took place in 2024: in Barcelona (September 17–18) and Mugello (September 8–9) for dry compounds, and in Magny-Cours (November 13–14) for wet compounds.
The remaining twelve sessions were run this year, with most of the test days held at Spanish and Italian circuits. The slick tyres were tested twice in Barcelona (February 4–5 and June 3–4, after the GP) and once in Jerez (February 12–13), while in Italy both dry and wet solutions were evaluated. This took place at Fiorano (June 19–20) on an artificially wet track, while at Monza (September 9–10,) following the Italian Grand Prix and Mugello (September 25–26) the tests were affected by bad weather, which slightly affected the sessions initially planned for slicks.
At Paul Ricard (January 29–30) and Silverstone (May 7–8), the track was also artificially watered to test the Wet and Intermediate tyres. Pirelli was back at the English track after the British Grand Prix (July 8–9) to work on the harder end of the slick range, the new construction for which was developed based on data gathered during the earlier pre-season tests in Bahrain (March 2–3).
Prior to the upcoming Mexico test, the softer compounds were also evaluated in Budapest (August 5–6), in the week after the race. All the Formula 1 teams took part in the various test sessions, having communicated their availability to the FIA and Pirelli.
The new 2026 range, which continues to feature 18-inch rims but with slightly narrower tyres, will be tested by all teams together during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for December 9–10 at Yas Marina, using mule cars to accommodate the new tyre size.
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