Pirelli shares details regarding its 2026 F1 tyre test plans

Having recently completed a two-day development test aimed at the 2026 F1 tyres with Sauber and Aston Martin at Silverstone, Formula One's sole tyre manufacturer Pirelli has shared details regarding its plans.

After last Sunday's British Grand Prix, Formula One's sole tyre supplier Pirelli did not leave Silverstone as the Milan-based manufacturer completed a two-day tyre test programme.

Aston Martin and Sauber provided the car and drivers for tests aimed at development of the 2026 tyres. The Italian tyre supplier noted that the "work focused on a comparison between various options for the three hardest compounds (C1, C2 and C3)."

"In the morning, the drivers carried out several relatively short runs to evaluate the performance of the compounds, while in the afternoon, they switched to comparisons over long distances, running the best solutions to emerge from the test."

Lance Stroll was at the wheel of a mule-car based on the Aston Martin AMR25. The Canadian completed a total of 126 laps, the quickest in a time of 1m30.195s.

The second day of testing saw Gabriel Bortoleto get behind the wheel of the Sauber C45 which was raced by the Swiss team last year. However, the car has been modified to fit the 2026 tyres. The Brazilian completed 110 laps, setting a best time of 1m33.188s.

Speaking of the tests, Pirelli's motorsport director Mario Isola stated: “We are now in the crucial phase of 2026 tyre development and at Silverstone, we pretty much completed our work on construction.

“Now, as usual, we will analyse all the data and reach conclusions prior to homologation, which is due to take place in early September. In addition, we were able to compare the most likely options for the hard compounds on the Silverstone track that is very tough on tyres.

"We still have more time to complete this, given that the cut-off date stipulated in the regulations is in November. We will conduct further test sessions, starting with one at the Hungaroring on 5 and 6 August, in other words, immediately after the Hungarian Grand Prix.

"Then there will be a further three sessions, in Monza, Mugello and Mexico City, to help us make the final choices," concluded Isola.