Pirelli gives verdict on 2026 tests: “Impossible to simulate the new cars, but we can get close”. Mario Isola provided interesting details regarding the ongoing Pirelli 2026 tests.

The 2025 championship has not yet begun, but thoughts are already on 2026, with Pirelli tests continuing and Mario Isola sharing intriguing insights. Today and tomorrow, several teams will be at Montmeló for the first tests of 2025, using adapted cars that are still far from the 2026 concepts. We discussed this with Mario Isola, who shared exclusive details with F1inGenerale about the ongoing tests and challenges.

In 2025, there will still be several test days. How is the development of the new tires progressing?

“We have a test program that fully utilizes what the regulations allow, which is 40 test days. Specifically, these are 40 Car Days, as regulated, meaning each day with one car counts as one. We have tried to schedule a series of sessions on different tracks, both dry and wet, involving all teams. This is because every team will create mule cars, ensuring rotation among all teams. This allows us to consider both top teams and midfield teams to find the best compromise.”

“However, nothing has been finalized yet. The first sessions took place in the second half of 2024. The real problem is that we are testing with cars that have completely different characteristics. Furthermore, teams are still in a learning phase with the new concepts. In practice, teams are helping us with setup and fuel load adjustments to get closer to the new single-seaters. However, simulating them is impossible—the aero package is entirely different, as are the dimensions, power unit, and aerodynamics.”

“Despite this, we can get closer—perhaps by avoiding tests with 100 kg of fuel and using 70 kg instead, to simulate the weight of the new single-seaters under race conditions. Additionally, we are aerodynamically limited, as the current DRS only acts on the rear wing, while next year it will also be on the front wing. We are testing with Monza-style wings at Montmeló or on circuits requiring higher downforce. It is not easy, and at the moment, nothing has been finalized—not the slick construction, nor the design of the intermediate or wet tires. Everything is still a work in progress, but the first goal is obviously to lock in the construction, which is the first step, and then we will work on the compound range.”

Virtual Simulation Crucial for the 2026 Pirellis
When asked about the increasing importance of virtual models in modern F1, Mario Isola added the following:

“Correlation work is crucial, and just in recent days, we distributed the latest virtual model of the 2026 tires to the teams. It is an ongoing process, but the mule cars differ from each other, as the FIA only provided general guidelines for their development. The FIA was concerned that teams might use these tests to simulate aspects of the 2026 regulations, but we need a car that is as representative as possible.”

Source: f1ingenerale