Pirelli loses one compound for 2026: right here is the brand new vary for the subsequent period
Pirelli is constant the inevitable growth strategy of its tyre vary for the 2026 System 1 World Championship. As we speak, the Italian producer, which stays the only real tyre provider in F1, confirmed that it has finalised the compounds that might be used throughout the 24 Grands Prix of subsequent season.
The 2026 compounds, 5 in whole, might be formally homologated on 15 December as dictated by the technical laws. The vary will embody: C1 (the toughest), C2, C3, C4 and C5 (the softest). The development of the brand new tyres was accomplished virtually three months in the past, on 1 September.
As many followers could have seen, the C6 compound won’t be a part of the 2026 lineup. This determination was taken as a result of the compound — which was anticipated to develop into the softest tyre of the vary, because it was this season — didn’t present a enough efficiency hole in comparison with the C5 to justify its full growth and homologation.
The efficiency targets required for the 2026 tyres, significantly the necessity for clearer variations between every compound, led to the removing of the C6. Pirelli’s goal is to supply groups sufficient strategic selection in the course of the races with out having to implement necessary pit cease numbers, one thing that has already occurred this 12 months.
Remaining checks earlier than approval
The brand new tyres might be examined in the course of the collective session in Abu Dhabi on 9 December, held proper after the tip of the present System 1 season. This would be the ultimate alternative to judge them earlier than homologation, though solely the C2, C3, C4 and C5 might be used in the course of the check.
The C1 and the Full Moist tyres — though they’re included within the 2026 vary — won’t be equipped for the Yas Marina check, presumably as a result of it might be unimaginable to run them within the acceptable circumstances. The testing programme might be dealt with by an official driver utilizing a mule automobile, whereas the identical day can even function younger drivers on the monitor within the 2025-spec automobiles fitted with the compounds designed for the present season.
Improvement challenges with mule automobiles
It is usually value remembering that the 2026 tyres have been developed over a number of classes utilizing mule automobiles — modified chassis meant to breed the traits of subsequent 12 months’s automobiles. This has been one of many greatest challenges for Pirelli, because the tyres haven’t been examined instantly on the precise 2026 automobiles, which can use 18-inch wheels which might be barely narrower than the present ones.
Even so, Pirelli motorsport boss Mario Isola sounded assured: “We’ve got accomplished lots of of hundreds of kilometres on mule automobiles and the info correlation is great. The five-compound vary offers us the unfold we’d like whereas retaining issues less complicated and extra predictable for the groups.”
Come Bahrain 2026, the grid will roll out on a cleaner, leaner Pirelli lineup – and with out the C6 that by no means fairly made the minimize.
Nov 24, 2025
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