Pirelli: the complexity of two tire development programmes in Formula 1
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In F1, Pirelli's tire development has never stopped, despite the premier motorsport category having chosen a sole supplier for several years now. Numerous changes to technical regulations have required the Italian manufacturer to stay in step with the evolving framework, while also striving to meet the teams' needs. In several cases, the team led by Mario Isola has had to rely on simulations for tire design.
This occurred between 2016 and 2021 and continues to be the case as another regulatory revolution approaches for F1 cars. Continuous collaboration with the teams is crucial for Pirelli to develop and produce tires suited to an ever-evolving platform. This platform refers to F1 cars, which, under regulatory continuity, become increasingly efficient thanks to the engineers' work focused on generating more downforce to maximize vehicle performance.
This trend is evident when comparing data from 2023 to the previous season. The average time for pole positions (in dry conditions) decreased by eight-tenths of a second last season, while the average fastest race lap dropped by six-tenths. The tire supplier received new simulations from teams at the end of November, used to estimate potential further lap time gains for 2025, along with insights from the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, following the final race of the previous championship.
Entering the fourth (and final) year of regulatory continuity, performance improvements are expected to slow. However, Pirelli's chief engineer, Simone Berra, cautions that simulations are not definitive: "We've seen very high loads from two or three teams," he reports. "Usually, we receive simulations mid-season and at the end of the season. Nobody expected these kinds of loads. We thought they had reached peak performance levels, but there's still more to gain. It's all very interesting."
Although 2025 will be the last season for this generation of tires, Pirelli does not believe teams will slow their development efforts. The Italian tire supplier has demonstrated excellent adaptability in the past to performance levels that differed significantly from those projected in simulations. For example, last year Pirelli introduced a new tire construction mid-season at the British Grand Prix, designed to accommodate higher speeds and loads compared to pre-season test data.
In parallel with monitoring products for the current season, Pirelli is developing new tires for the 2026 cars. These will remain 18 inches but will be narrower than the current ones to reduce the rolling resistance of future vehicles. This is a significant challenge, given that track tests will be less reliable because the teams have provided and will provide cars built under the current regulations, modified to approximate the behavior of the next generation of cars.
As in the past, Pirelli will undoubtedly rely heavily on theoretical modeling and the support teams provide through their simulations. Having a 2026 model equipped with the new tires for wind tunnel testing would be immensely helpful. However, the FIA has not considered this option.
The Italian company continues to prove its capability as F1's sole tire supplier, with a contract currently extending through 2027. Additionally, the Milanese firm supplies tires for the F2 and F3 championships.
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