Pirelli deplores “inconclusive” test with 2026 rain tires

2026 is already tomorrow, especially for Pirelli. The Italian manufacturer, sole supplier of the Formula 1, has already been working on next season's tires for several months. Since the beginning of the year, several private tests have been carried out, in Barcelona, ​​Bahrain, Jerez and even at Le Castellet on wet tracks, in order to test prototypes for the next campaign where completely new technical regulations will be implemented.

This week, the Milanese firm went to the Silverstone circuit (United Kingdom) for two days of testing with Mercedes and its two drivers, George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The two drivers from the German team were able to drive a modified version of the 15 Mercedes W2024 on the 2,630-kilometer National circuit. In order to test the intermediate and rain tires, the English track was artificially wetted using tanker trucks. On Thursday, George Russell was able to complete 80 laps – with a best time of 46 – bringing the total distance covered over the two days to 190 kilometers with the 481 laps completed by Andrea Kimi Antonelli the day before.

“First of all, I would like to thank Mercedes and its drivers for their cooperation. Returning to the track immediately after a Grand Prix on the other side of the Atlantic is a major commitment and we really appreciate it, commented Mario Isola, Director of Pirelli Motorsport. It was a very useful test, as it allowed us to gather valuable information on our rain tires, which adds to those acquired at Paul-Ricard in January."

Pirelli half satisfied

However, despite these two days of testing on a wet track, Pirelli engineers did not get the answers they were looking for at Silverstone. Indeed, the rain tires – called "Cinturato" and with blue sidewalls - did not meet the expectations set by the F1 manufacturer. "With the intermediates, we were able to confirm that the on-track development meets our expectations, while the results with the full rain tires were not conclusive and will need to be analyzed in depth in the coming days in order to continue refining the product for next season.", Mario Isola noted after the tests carried out in England, without specifying the nature of the discontent.

The next test session to prepare for 2026 is scheduled for June 3 and 4 at the Barcelona circuit, in the days following the Spanish Grand Prix, this time to work on slick tires. Mercedes will once again be present at the Catalan circuit with Racing Bulls. The next test on wet tires will take place on June 19 and 20, with Ferrari on its own Fiorano circuit, which is equipped with an artificial track irrigation system.

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