Pirelli has defended its new, smaller F1 tyres for 2026 and revealed it had given groups the choice to stay with present tyre measurement, after George Russell criticised the brand new rubber.
The FIA had initially chosen 16-inch wheels for the brand new 2026 technical laws, however producer Pirelli most well-liked to maintain the present 18-inch model and introduce smaller tyres as a compromise to scale back weight and drag.
Russell is without doubt one of the drivers who, driving mule automobiles to carry out assessments for Pirelli, acquired an early style of the 2026 tyres, however he wasn’t enthused when requested about his expertise by Motorsport.com.
“That was a little bit of a problem in comparison with the broader tyres we now have right this moment”, Russell mentioned. “It was fairly a step worse with the brand new tyres. That’s naturally the case, as a result of they’re simply way more slender.”
These feedback have reached Pirelli, with the model’s motorsport chef Mario Isola telling Motorsport.com: “I’ve already spoken with George and I need to converse to him once more.
“The purpose is that we’re evaluating a tyre that’s mature, the 2025 tyre, with a tyre that’s nonetheless underneath growth. We’ve not finalised the development but, we’ve not finalised the compounds but and we may have a unique automotive in 2026 than the present mule automobiles. There are numerous components that aren’t fully identified.
“The tyre will probably be smaller, and being smaller, it implies that will probably be extra vulnerable to overheating for certain, and that it’ll have completely different traits. However that’s precisely why we’re engaged on the brand new compounds and on the brand new development to have the very best product for the drivers.”
F1 groups made the choice themselves
Pirelli tyres
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
Isola revealed Pirelli had not too long ago given all F1 groups a selection: transfer ahead with the narrower tires for 2026 or stick to this 12 months’s measurement.
“We spoke to all of the groups about this and mentioned: ‘It’s a must to determine, however we want a last resolution’. Both we keep on the 2025 sizes or we proceed to develop the 2026 tyres. The groups have determined to proceed growing the 2026 tyres.”
In accordance with Isola, that call was made simply ten days in the past. It implies that the tyres Russell criticized are those that groups have chosen themselves.
“The choice of the groups was clear, it was clear for a number of causes,” the Italian added. “To begin with, they’ve already began growing the brand new automobiles, however above all they did not assume that the brand new tyre was dangerous. They perceive that this is not the ultimate product they usually discovered some positives.”
Isola subsequently feels that Russell’s phrases do not absolutely align with what “a majority of the groups” have informed him.
“It is necessary that we’re aligned with the drivers as properly and all work in the identical path. We need to give them a tyre with much less overheating and traits which might be according to the targets, however the measurement should stay because it was determined by the groups. I absolutely perceive the purpose of the drivers, and I am completely happy to comply with their feedback and criticism, however we have to work in a single path.”
Pictures from the Bahrain Pre-Season Testing – Day 3
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Ronald Vording
Formulation 1
George Russell
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