• Home
  • News
  • F1
  • Exclusive – Mario Isola (Pirelli): “Tires are a tool to offer a better show to spectators”
F1

Exclusive – Mario Isola (Pirelli): “Tires are a tool to offer a better show to spectators”

Director of Pirelli Motorsport until his sudden departure on March 1st, the Italian had granted us an interview a few days earlier during the Bahrain tests (February 18-20). This provided an opportunity to discuss the projects undertaken by the Italian manufacturer, for whom the new regulations also represent a major challenge.

Published 12/03/2026 à 08:00

Cyprien Juilhard

  Comment on this article! 1

Exclusive – Mario Isola (Pirelli): “Tires are a tool to offer a better show to spectators”

© Julien Delfosse / DPPI

What conclusions do you draw from the Bahrain tests regarding the 2026 version tires?

For us, the important thing was to confirm what we had found during our development program. And I would say that, based on the data collected, we are in line with our expectations. We observed no graining, only a little abrasion, but no delamination. No blistering or other issues.

This article is for subscribers only.

You have 95% left to discover.


I'm subscribing to read more!

Already subscribed?
Sign in


  • Up to -50% savings!
  • Unlimited Premium articles
  • The digital magazine from 20 p.m. every Monday
  • Access to all issues since 2012 on the AUTOhebdo app

Autohebdo Store

See the shop

Comment on this article! 1

Continue reading on these topics:

F1 interview Mario isola Pirelli
Read also

Comments

1 Comment (s)

V

vincent moyet

12/03/2026 at 10:39 a.m.

This was the first stage of the "show": marshmallow tires that drastically affect lap times depending on their condition. It allows a car on new tires to overtake another because its tires are worn out, but where's the competition? There's a deception surrounding the notion of "spectacle": overtaking maneuvers like a Porsche leaving a Trabant in the dust on the highway—is that really spectacular?

Write a comment