Pirelli boss Mario Isola gives update on first 2026 tyre test as he reflects on ‘valuable information’ gained

Pirelli boss Mario Isola has given an insight into the first test session of F1’s new 2026 tyres that took place earlier this week, with the Italian confident that the learnings provided a strong “baseline for future development”.

Aston Martin were the first team to run with the new tyres, which remain 18 inches in wheel size but will feature a smaller width and external diameter, with the front axles reduced by 25mm and the rears by 30mm.

Felipe Drugovich got behind the wheel of an adapted 2023 car at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Wednesday and completed 670 kilometres with the prototype tyres on.

Asked ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix about how the test went, Isola explained: “Obviously it was the first test, our main job was to correlate simulations with the new car. We know that new cars cannot be representative, considering that [the] 2026 cars are completely different.

“I believe we did a good job, and thanks to Aston Martin, the first team running the test. [We gained] valuable information, and probably also a good starting point as a baseline for future development.”

Aston Martin participated in Pirelli's first test of the 2026 tyres, with Drugovich at the wheel

Pushed on whether Pirelli had received any information in particular from Aston Martin or their reserve driver Drugovich, Isola added: “The main topic was to understand the mechanical balance and the aero balance of the car, so for example we decided to run always with the DRS open in order to compensate the front and rear load, and then made some adjustments to the set-up of the car to balance the car properly.

“But the new size is working well, we didn’t find any issue in running or a lot of graining or other elements that could affect the test, so we were happy with this first test and ready for the next two sessions.”

Isola explained that those upcoming tests will see McLaren try out the new tyres before Alpine take part in a wet session later in the year.

“Then we are finalising the test plan for 2025,” he added. “All the teams gave their availability, so we are very happy we can test with all of them.”

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 20: Director of Pirelli F1 Mario Isola attends the Team Principals — Isola has given an insight into what Pirelli learned from the first 2026 tyre test

Elaborating on those plans when speaking further to the media later on, Isola was asked whether the teams will create a mule car to be able to test the new tyres.

“Yeah for 2025, yes,” he explained. “Obviously for 2024 we were limited in the number of sessions. That’s why the FIA decided for a ballot to define the three teams that were able to test it for 2024.

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“For 2025, the situation is different. It’s like it was in the past with all 10 teams available. We are allocating together with the FIA the tests to all the teams.”

Isola continued: “We have four [tests] next year. We have four car days of testing as it was for this year. We have 10 days this year but actually we are going to use only six because they are three sessions of two days each. For next year, obviously we will try to use all the possibilities that we have from the regulations.”

For more information about Pirelli’s F1 tyres, visit pirelli.com.