Pirelli completes latest F1 2026 dry weather tyre test at Barcelona

FormulaRapida.net

6 months ago

Pirelli held another round of 2026 F1 dry weather tyre testing at Barcelona where Mercedes, Visa Cash App RB and Red Bull drivers were involved.

Day 1:

A new Pirelli test session focussed on tyres for 2026 got underway today. Working with Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team, the Pirelli engineers ran comparisons of several constructions and compounds of dry weather tyres. As the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit is particularly demanding on tyres, the work centred specifically on the harder compounds in the range.

At the wheel of the Mercedes was George Russell, while Isack Hadjar drove the Racing Bulls, both of them having secured good results in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix. They were driving mule cars based on their respective teams’ 2024 cars. By the end of the day, the Englishman had completed 136 laps, the quickest in 1’16”920, while the Frenchman did 146 laps, the best being a 1’18”334. Mercedes will continue testing tomorrow, this time with Andrea Kimi Antonelli, joined by Oracle Red Bull Racing and their Japanese driver, Yuki Tsunoda.

Day 2:

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and Oracle Red Bull Racing had their respective drivers Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Yuki Tsunoda working on development of the Pirelli 2026 tyres on this second day of the test at the Barcelona circuit. Once again, the programme focused on comparisons of the various constructions and solutions for the hardest compounds in the range. A total of 300 laps was completed today: 150 for the Italian driver (best time 1’14”903) and 150 for the Japanese (1’16”839).

“Our ongoing test programme is coming to its decisive phase,” explained Pirelli Director of Motorsport, Mario Isola. “In fact, by 1^st September, the constructions will have to be homologated, while for the compounds we have until 1^st December. Here in Barcelona, a track that provides a stern test for tyres, we evaluated the hardest compounds in the range and accumulated valuable data that we will verify at the Silverstone test in July following the British Grand Prix.

“I wish to thank the three teams and their respective drivers that worked with us during this test. We know it’s not straightforward to stay on at a track for a further two days following a triple-header which ended last Sunday.” The next development test for 2026 will take place on 19 and 20 June at the Fiorano track where, over the two days, Scuderia Ferrari will be testing wet weather prototype tyres.