Pirelli has set the range of F1 2026 tyres from C1 to C5, with C6 being dropped, as they also share information on Abu Dhabi test.
Pirelli has set the range of compounds for the 2026 Formula 1 season. After completing an analysis following the last test session in Mexico City, the Italian company, with the approval of the FIA, has established which compounds will be homologated on 15 December, as stipulated in the technical regulations. As for tyre construction, that was finalised on 1st September, after a careful evaluation of the balance across the axles, taking into account the active aerodynamics that will be introduced next year.
Tyre development was carried out on the basis of forecast data as supplied by the teams, using simulations referring to loads and speeds predicted for the end of the 2026 season, while pursuing objectives similar to those of this year. The models were validated based on the results of development track testing with mule cars modified to reproduce the characteristics of the next generation of cars.
That was a complicating factor during testing, stemming from the fact that tyres could not be tested on actual 2026 cars, which will run slightly narrower 18 inch tyres than the current ones. The range of dry tyres will consist of five compounds from the hardest C1 to the softest C5, all with similar positioning to the current one and an approach to thermal degradation aimed at allowing for a variety of choices across the many different characteristics to be found at the circuits on the world championship calendar.
Particular attention has been paid to performance differences between the compounds in terms of lap time, so as to ensure a wide and consistent delta between them, to deliver more strategy options. The decision not to validate the sixth and softest compound, the C6, which is in the range for the current season, was taken precisely because it was impossible to meet this delta requirement. The most recent tests showed that the time gap between the C5 and C6 prototypes was too small compared to the others, without offering any significant performance advantage.
Before final homologation, the range will be used in a one-day group test on 9 December in Abu Dhabi. The teams will be supplied with sets of compounds from C2 to C5, as well as Intermediate tyres in the event of wet conditions. The C1 and the Full Wets, although included in the 2026 range, will not be supplied at Yas Marina. The tests will be carried out by current race drivers in a mule car, while on the same day young drivers will also take to the track at the wheel of the 2025 cars, fitted with the current tyres.
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Auctions –
Two exciting pieces of Oracle Red Bull Racing memorabilia have been made available to fans for a limited time only, auctioned to raise funds for Wings for Life. The helmet, recently unveiled by Yuki Tsunoda as his one-off design for the 2025 Las Vegas GP, is up for grabs as well as a weekend used suit worn and signed by Max Verstappen at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he clinched his 4th Drivers World Championship.
These auction lots, hosted as part of F1 Authentics’ End of Season Auction, are raising money for Oracle Red Bull Racing’s dedicated charity, Wings for Life. Both Yuki and Max have previously donated racewear and other memorabilia , which have helped raise significant funds for the charity on auctions hosted by F1 Authentics. Yuki Tsunoda’s race helmet, worn at this season’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, was designed by artist Kent Yoshimura, who said the helmet “…is a representation of Yuki, the challenges, the resilience and finally all that coming together in this theme of kintsugi, which is broken things can be mended with gold and turned into something much more beautiful.”
Unveiling the unique design on Instagram prior to the race, Yuki Tsunoda said “For me this is the best helmet… I can’t wait to get out on the track with it”. Fans also have the incredible opportunity to own Max Verstappen’s Championship-winning race weekend worn suit, used during the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix event where he went on to clinch his fourth title. The suit, which has been signed by Max, is a symbol of his incredible racing career. Grouped among only a select few drivers to have claimed more the three World Championships in history, he is already considered one of the legends of the sport.
Proceeds of Yuki Tsunoda’s helmet will be donated to Wings for Life UK with the money raised from Max Verstappen’s race suit going to Wings for Life USA. Wings for Life is a not for profit internationally recognised foundation for spinal cord injury research. 100% of the money raised goes directly into research projects and clinical trials to help find a cure for spinal cord injury.
Emma Hind, Wings for Life UK CEO said: “Wings for Life are delighted to be part of the end-of-season auction in partnership with Memento Exclusives. We are incredibly grateful to the Oracle Red Bull Racing team and drivers for donating a Max Verstappen Las Vegas race weekend worn race suit and Yuki Tsunoda’s 2025 Las Vegas helmet, which are the perfect collector’s pieces for any F1 fan! Having seen such a successful partnership in previous auctions, we are thrilled to be working together again to raise crucial funds for Wings for Life. The money raised will continue to drive us towards our goal of finding a cure for spinal cord injury.”
Andrew Wagner, CEO Wings for Life USA said: “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but not Max’s racing suit! Wings for Life is very proud to partner with F1 Authentics for this unique auction opportunity. Max Verstappen was the 2024 World Champion, so owning his Las Vegas worn racing suit from a championship year will be a prized addition for a lucky collector. I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Oracle Red Bull Racing and F1 Authentics for generously supporting our mission. 100% of the money raised from this auction will fund critically important spinal cord injury research.”
Laurent Mekies, CEO & Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing said: “Once again, we’re proud to be supporting our partner charity, Wings for Life, in collaboration with F1® Authentics. As we approach the Las Vegas Grand Prix we hope that fans and collectors alike will be excited to bid on Yuki’s special designed helmet, inspired by the Japanese art style, Kintsugi, and Max’s 2024 Las Vegas Race weekend worn suit. With 100% of funds raised going into Wings for Life’s groundbreaking research to find a cure for spinal cord injury, it’s great that we’re able to offer these special pieces for auction.”
Collectors can bid on both auction lots now at f1authentics.com. The auction closes on 9th December 2025.
With 9 Race Wins, 18 Podiums, 8 Pole Positions and 589 Points, the Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 is a landmark F1 car that saw Max Verstappen defend his title and claim a historic 4th Drivers’ World Championship. Now, for the first time ever, a handful of RB20 Show Cars have been made available for collectors to own, authentically reproduced by Oracle Red Bull Racing partner, Memento Exclusives.
Oracle Red Bull Racing first released their Show Cars for public purchase last year, offering a limited number of enthusiasts the ability to purchase full scale replicas of their double-championship winning RB18 and RB19. Now, collectors can get their hands on one of just ten perfect recreations of the RB20, in their choice of three unique designs; the 2024 season, Silverstone GP Special Edition or Las Vegas GP Title Winning liveries.
Driven once again by Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, the RB20 was a menace on the track and kept producing pole positions, podiums and wins. The car inherited the winning DNA of its predecessors, incorporating the team’s years of experience and expertise into its design. Every aspect of this Show Car is meticulously crafted to perfectly replicate the aerodynamically sculpted bodywork of the vehicle built as a testament to the relentless pursuit of perfection.
This unique collector’s item has been produced by the officially licensed Show Car supplier to F1 and their ecosystem, Memento Exclusives. The memorabilia specialist, set in Motorsport Valley UK, was first named a partner of Formula One back in 2019 and has been operating F1 Authentics under official licence since. Their expert team is made up of engineers and mechanics with decades of experience in motorsport, who have produced these limited editions using the same processes as the real race cars seen on the F1 tracks.
All Oracle Red Bull Racing Show Cars are built using computer-aided design direct from the team, to ensure authentic reproduction. This memorabilia partnership also continues to make unique items such as replica bodywork and car parts available to fans. The new RB20 Show Cars are made available under a special license arrangement that will see buyers become an official Red Bull Licensee. Owning an RB20 means joining a legacy of champions and these limited-edition masterpieces offer access to one of the most sought-after F1 cars in the world, representing the pinnacle of automotive engineering and embodying the essence of speed, power, and innovation.
[The story is as per press release]
