Pirelli has embarked on tire testing for the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season, conducting intensive sessions at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain with two teams, Alpine and McLaren. This two-day testing event, which also included Mercedes for one of its sessions, aimed to refine and develop tire compounds suited for the rigors of the Formula 1 schedule.
During the tests, Jack Doohan of Alpine and George Russell from Mercedes took to the track as the primary drivers, both logging significant laps to collect data on tire performance. Doohan managed to complete 113 laps, with his fastest time clocked at seven-tenths of a second faster than Russell's 135 laps—albeit on different testing programs. The sheer volume of laps indicates not only the pace but also the durability of the tires being tested.
Mario Isola, Pirelli's head of motorsport, spoke highly of the collaboration with teams, stating, "Yet another good test in the early days of 2025, thanks to the collaboration of the three teams involved. The information gathered so far will allow us to direct our development in an ever more precise fashion for the coming tests." This endorsement highlights the importance of such tests, especially as teams prepare for the highly anticipated 2026 season.
The warm weather at Jerez was particularly beneficial for testing, fostering ideal conditions for tire evaluation. Isola mentioned, "We now have a great deal of very important information from the Jerez circuit," underscoring the value of this testing venue, even though it hasn't been part of the regular championship calendar for years. The data collected here complements earlier tests conducted at circuits like Barcelona and Paul Ricard.
Notably, this is the third test session behind tire development this season for Pirelli, which has been working on the C2 to C4 compounds—classified as medium-hardness tires. These efforts are pivotal for adapting to the current regulations and race environment, particularly with the Formula 1 calendar now comprising 24 races, making it challenging for teams to participate extensively during the regular season.
Test drivers Pierre Gasly and Patricio O'Ward also contributed significantly during the Jerez session, performing over 150 laps combined. Gasly’s quickest lap time was 1:18.092, compared to O'Ward's 1:19.484. These times, albeit not fully representative owing to the nature of private testing with older car models, give valuable insights as teams look to optimize their performance.
Looking forward, Mercedes is expected to take over from McLaren on the latter day of testing, with Russell stepping back behind the wheel. This continued rotation of drivers and teams emphasizes the collaborative ecosystem within F1 tire testing, as teams share insights based on tire performance characteristics.
Mario Isola's concluding remarks reinforced the significance of these developments, noting the selection of circuits helps to build Pirelli's data library, which is indispensable for creating top-tier tires for the upcoming competitive season. He remarked on the challenges posed by the tightly packed racing schedule and the dedication required from teams to help Pirelli make data-driven decisions as they work toward the 2026 season.
The future of tire performance is just as much about preparation as it is about execution on race day. With Pirelli's commitment to continuous improvement and the invaluable data collected, the 2026 season looks set to bring exhilarating performances from competitive teams equipped with optimized tire technology.