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 popular to maintain the present 18-inch model and introduce smaller tyres as a compromise to scale back weight and drag.
Russell is among the drivers who, driving mule vehicles to carry out exams 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 have now at this time”, Russell stated. “It was fairly a step worse with the brand new tyres. That’s naturally the case, as a result of they’re simply rather more slim.”
These feedback have reached Pirelli, with the model’s motorsport chef Mario Isola telling Motorsport.com: “I’ve already spoken with George and I wish to communicate 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 beneath growth. We have 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 vehicles. There are various components that aren’t utterly recognized.
“The tyre will probably be smaller, and being smaller, it implies that will probably be extra liable to overheating for positive, and that it’s going to have totally different traits. However that’s precisely why we’re engaged on the brand new compounds and on the brand new building to have the very best product for the drivers.”
F1 groups made the choice themselves 
Pirelli tyres
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
Isola revealed Pirelli had just lately 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 stated: ‘It’s important to determine, however we want a ultimate choice’. 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.”
Based on 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 start with, they’ve already began growing the brand new vehicles, 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 totally align with what “a majority of the groups” have advised him.
“It is essential that we’re aligned with the drivers as effectively and all work in the identical course. We wish 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 totally perceive the purpose of the drivers, and I am glad to comply with their feedback and criticism, however we have to work in a single course.”
Photographs from the Bahrain Pre-Season Testing – Day 3
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Ronald Vording
Components 1
George Russell
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