Pirelli looks to 2026: 'Able to gather significant data'
F1 News
After F1's three-day pre-season test in Bahrain, Alpine and Williams remained at the track to take part in a Pirelli test to help the Italian tyre manfacturer develop the compounds that are set to be used in 2026. Mario Isola, Pirelli's Director of Motorsport, has since reacted to the extra two days of on-track activity in Bahrain.
Not only will the power units and the chassis undergo significant changes in next year's regulation change. "As per the regulations [the 2026 tyres] will feature a smaller diameter and will be narrower by 25 millimetres at the front and 30 at the rear, than the current ones." reads the press release explaining the reason behind the work being done by Pirelli and the teams ahead of the upcoming regulatory overhaul.
While Alpine chose to run two of its reserve drivers, Ryo Hirakawa for day 1 and Paul Aron for day, Williams took on the Pirelli designated test with its two main drivers, Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon for days 1 and 2 respectively.
'Significant amount of data after almost 2,700km'
Both Williams and Alpine drove mule cars based on the FW45 and the A523, their 2023 season F1 cars, and while Hirakawa and Sainz focused solely on comparing various constructions of a single compound on the first day, Aron and Albon were able to test the C1, C2 and C3 compound tyres on the second day, when the weather also turned around with environmental temperatures reaching the high 24°C, and the track temp oscilating between 23 and 38°C.
In the end, Pirelli only shared a deeper outlook on the second day of the test, which ended up being a highly productive day. "Alpine’s Estonian driver completed 130 laps, the quickest in 1’35”407, finishing his day’s work shortly after 16.30. Williams’ Thai driver did 120 laps with a best time of 1’35”667," more than twice the distance of a Bahrain Grand Prix distance for each. The times are of course not relevant since the compounds and fuel loads are not known.
"Another very useful day for the development of the 2026 tyres," said Isola in a Pirelli press release. "Almost 2,700 kilometres completed, we have been able to gather a significant amount of data to take forward in our programme," before acknowledging the effort by the teams and drivers having extended their stay at Bahrain for two extra days before the season gets underway in less than two weeks' time at the Australian Grand Prix.
"In Sakhir we continued with a comparison of different types of construction and compound, the latter at the hardest end of the range, to suit the characteristics of this track. Now, our colleagues in R&D will analyse the information carefully and provide useful indications so that we can continue to improve the product for the next generation of cars," concluded Pirelli's Director of Motorsport.
When will Pirelli test the 2026 compounds again?
Mercedes will be in action for Pirelli in Silverstone on 7 and 8 May, two months before the 2025 British Grand Prix takes place on July 6, helping the Italian tyre manufacturer with the development of the 2026 intermediate and extreme wet tyres.