Pirelli: a bespoke p zero r for the new official fia F1® safety car, the mercedes-amg gt 63 pro 4matic+
Developed in a virtual environment, the new tyre combines a dual-compound tread with a dedicated tread pattern to deliver high levels of performance and control, even in wet conditions – qualities confirmed by testing at the Nürburgring and Nardò
Milan, 5 October 2026 – Developed specifically for the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+, recently unveiled as the first Official FIA F1® Safety Car equipped with fully variable all-wheel drive, the new Pirelli P Zero R is an ultra-high-performance tyre that combines dry-weather ‘qualifying-level’ performance with an extremely precise steering response, while ensuring safe handling in wet conditions. This P Zero R has been developed to deliver consistent performance during Safety Car deployments in Formula 1®, when precision, reliability and control become paramount.
This ability to deliver high levels of performance in both dry and wet conditions is the result of a dual-compound tread and, thanks to virtualisation, the development of specific tread pattern details designed to optimise performance on this particular vehicle. The tyre is the result of co-development with engineers from Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach and has been refined using the virtual simulation models that are a key part of Pirelli’s development process. The two compounds, the land-to-groove ratio and the width of the tread pattern channels have all been designed to work in synergy with the vehicle’s suspension geometry and camber, optimising the tyre’s contact patch in different driving conditions. This helps maximise grip and enhance steering precision, while increasing high-speed stability without compromising performance on wet surfaces.
The project is part of Pirelli’s role in Formula 1® as the sport’s sole tyre supplier since 2011, a position recently confirmed by the FIA and Formula 1® and extended through to 2028. The relationship dates back to the inaugural race in 1950 and, over the years, Pirelli has accompanied the technical evolution of the FIA Formula One World Championship™, reaching the milestone of 500 Grands Prix in 2025. The experience gained on track, including in the most extreme conditions, provides Pirelli with a laboratory for innovation whose findings are also reflected in the development of road tyres.
Bespoke development
The 21-inch P Zero R for the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ was designed by Pirelli to put all the power of its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine onto the road. The engine delivers 450 kW (612 hp) and 850 Nm of maximum torque. The car has been conceived to offer high levels of performance and drivability, also thanks to the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, which requires tyres capable of coping with rapid load transfers while allowing the car to exploit its high dynamic potential. The P Zero R enhances these characteristics through its high level of grip, precise response and consistency of performance, making it an ideal tyre for track use as well.
Testing phase
This product – the first P Zero R developed specifically for a Mercedes-AMG – underwent extensive testing at the Nürburgring and Nardò, with the participation of AMG brand ambassador and Official FIA F1® Safety Car Driver Bernd Mayländer as well as other experienced Safety Car drivers. They praised the tyre’s consistency of performance and high level of grip across a wide range of conditions.
The project confirms the long-standing collaboration between Pirelli and Mercedes-AMG in the development of high-performance tyres. This is based on a co-development process that combines the expertise of the two brands from the earliest stages of vehicle development and has so far resulted in more than 150 fitments. In line with the Perfect Fit approach, the tyre specification for the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ is identified by the ‘MO1’ marking on the sidewall, indicating that it has been specifically developed for this model.
The previous Official FIA F1® Safety Car from the performance and sports car brand from Affalterbach, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, which served in the role from 2022 to 2026, was also equipped with Pirelli P Zero tyres.
The latest milestone in the collaboration between Pirelli and Mercedes-AMG was the Nürburgring Nordschleife record set by the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+, equipped with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tyres. With a time of 7:32.070 minutes, the sporty four-door saloon claimed the title of the fastest vehicle in its segment on the legendary German circuit.