The company extends its thanks to Mario Isola, who will remain with Pirelli until July 1st, for his significant contribution to the development of the Motorsport business unit, carried out with dedication and great passion.

Pirelli announces that, effective March 1st, Dario Marrafuschi will become Head of Pirelli’s Motorsport Business Unit replacing Mario Isola who will provide support until July 1st to ensure a smooth and effective transition. Isola will then leave the company to pursue new professional challenges.

Marrafuschi, who joined the company in 2008, has extensive experience in Formula 1 in the Research and Development area and in recent years has headed the development of Pirelli’s road products. Like Isola, Marrafuschi will report to Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Executive Vice President of Sustainability, New Mobility & Motorsport.

The Company wishes to thank Mario Isola for the dedication and great passion with which he has contributed to the growth of the Motorsport business unit over the years.

Every set of tyres supplied to the teams at the start of the race weekend can cover a maximum of 25 laps of the Lusail track, which is very demanding on tyres in terms of energy, thermal stress and wear. The laps will be counted cumulatively across all track session, including laps run under the Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car.

Laps to the grid and formation laps and those completed after the chequered flag in the Sprint and the Grand Prix will not be included in the count. As the Qatar Grand Prix is run over 57 laps, each driver will inevitably have to change tyres at least twice. Before the start of the Grand Prix, Pirelli will inform the teams how many laps are still available for each set.

This measure has been deemed necessary, following analysis of the tyres used in 2024. Last year, several tyres, particularly the left front, had reached the maximum wear level. These conditions, combined with the high lateral energy had increased the structural fatigue of the construction.

In order to reduce the number of pit stops, the teams had worked on tyre degradation management, limiting performance drop off, which sometimes ran the risk of extending the stint beyond the useful life of the tyre.

A similar precautionary measure had already been introduced at this track in 2023, although that was for different problems which are now resolved. That year, repeatedly going over some kerbs had led to micro-lacerations in the tyres’ sidewalls. Last year, the subsequent modification to the pyramid kerbs along with the addition of strips of gravel around them, had avoided a repetition of this situation.

As already announced, Qatar will see the use of the hardest compounds in the Pirelli range: C1 as Hard, C2 as Medium and C3 as Soft. As this is a Sprint weekend, each driver will be supplied with 2 sets of Hard, 4 of Medium and 6 of Soft.

The Finnish driver tested the softer compounds in the range, from C3 to C6, in a similar programme to that carried out by Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto on Tuesday. Most of the work focused on the hardest compound within that range, which is most often chosen for race weekends during the season.

After several performance runs, each preceded by a warm-up lap to bring the tyres up to the correct temperature, Bottas completed the evaluation of the C3 compound with a series of long runs.

Bottas carried out a similar run plan, including performance runs, with the remaining compounds – chosen based on the tests conducted by Bortoleto the previous day – to analyse performance differences in terms of lap time and degradation levels.

In the late afternoon, Frederik Vesti (who participated in FP1 at the Mexico Grand Prix for Mercedes) took over the car, testing several different tyre structures throughout 10-lap runs.

The best time set by the Danish driver was 1m19.657s on lap 41, while Bottas set a benchmark of 1m18.204s on lap 109. These lap times, however, are not relevant to each other, as each driver was following a different programme.

Over the course of the day, a total of 161 laps were completed (112 laps for Bottas and 49 for Vesti) covering 693 kilometres, in track conditions very similar to those of the previous day with asphalt temperature peaking at 49°C. A total of 1,278 kilometres were covered at the Hermanos Rodríguez circuit during the two days of testing.

The next test for the 2026 tyres is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, in Abu Dhabi, at the official test with all the teams after the final grand prix of the season.

Fresh from his 10th place at the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend, Gabriel Bortoleto took to the track today (Tuesday 28 October) driving a mule car based on the current Sauber C45.

Pirelli tested the softer tyres in the new range throughout the day, from C3 to C6. In the morning, the Brazilian driver sampled all the options available, starting with the softest compounds before moving onto some harder tyres to take advantage of the progressive rise in track temperature.

The first hours targeted performance runs, which were useful for Pirelli’s engineers to assess the gaps between the different compounds in terms of lap time. In the afternoon, the best options identified during the morning were put to the test with longer runs up to 15 laps, in order to measure degradation levels.

Gabriel Bortoleto completed 136 laps today, covering 585.344 kilometres in total. His best time of 1m19.089s was set on lap 45. Weather conditions remained stable throughout the day, with clear skies and track temperatures that peaked at 51°C.

The Pirelli test will continue tomorrow, with Valtteri Bottas driving a mule car based on the 2024 Mercedes W15. The Finn will follow a run plan similar to that carried out by Bortoleto today.

In the morning, Leclerc was only able to do 25 laps, all on intermediates, the quickest in a time of 1’34”914. In the afternoon, Zhou ran on intermediates and extreme wets, before managing to fit in a handful of runs on slicks. The Chinese driver completed 75 laps, the best in 1’22”012.

“Unfortunately, the weather didn’t help,” commented Mario Isola, Pirelli Director of Motorsport. “That’s a shame, as Mugello is not just a wonderful circuit, but also very demanding on tyres and it would have been useful to get in some consistent running to define the hardest compounds. Now we will have to finish the work of analysing the little data we collected over these two days and cross-reference it with that from previous sessions, in order to reach the necessary conclusions. As for the softer compounds, we still have two more days of testing after the Mexico City Grand Prix to finalise their homologation. If we want to look for positives, at least we were able to test the wet weather tyres on a real track, gathering data and insights which will be useful for medium to long term development. Finally, I’d like to thank Haas and Scuderia Ferrari for their cooperation over these past two days.”

Testing continues tomorrow at Mugello when Guanyu Zhou and Charles Leclerc will be behind the wheel for Scuderia Ferrari, each driving part of the day in a mule car based on the SF-25.

The wet track, caused by the rain which fell on the circuit throughout the morning, gave the chance to test in real-life conditions a solution for the Intermediate tyres that had already been tested at Fiorano – when the track was artificially dampened thanks to the irrigation system at the Italian circuit. Today’s work, other than evaluating the best options for the C4, C5 and C6 compounds, will thus also allow for a deeper analysis of the crossover phase between intermediates and slicks.

Carlos Sainz completed 57 laps, with a best time of 1’22’’108 on lap 24. Isack Hadjar stopped the clock at 1’23’’825 on lap 30 of 56. The ambient temperatures were within the range of 20°C and 25°C, while the tarmac went from 27°C to 32°C.

Adding in the laps completed yesterday, which were all on slick tyres courtesy of the same two drivers plus Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda for Red Bull and Felipe Drugovich for Aston Martin, in these two days of testing at Monza Pirelli has amassed an overall total of 467 laps for a total of 2,705 kilometres.

Today’s testing was limited to the afternoon since, given the unfavourable weather forecast, the two teams involved had accepted bringing forward half a day of dry running to yesterday.

As a result Pirelli has nonetheless managed to collect the necessary data to proceed with the development of the slick compounds to be used next season, which will have to be homologated by December 15.

Williams took to the track with a mule car derived from the current FW47 while the Racing Bulls used a modified version of its VCARB01 from 2024. The modifications to the car were necessary to be able to fit the prototype tyres, which are slightly narrower compared to this year’s tyres, while keeping the same diameter.

The slick tyre testing will return at the end of September to the Mugello circuit and then for two more days after the race weekend in Mexico City. In Italy the harder tyres from the range will be finalised while in Mexico the softer tyres will again be put to the test.

These dates are the last two on Pirelli’s development calendar for 2025 and they will be followed by the usual end-of-season testing scheduled for December in Abu Dhabi.

The original plan for today was that Red Bull would be on track with Verstappen in the morning and Tsunoda in the afternoon, joined by Drugovich in the Aston Martin. However, with storms and heavy rain forecast for tomorrow morning, the schedule was changed.

After the morning session, Williams and Racing Bulls were ready to get through part of their programme ahead of schedule, running Sainz and Hadjar this afternoon. Aston Martin and Williams ran modified versions of their current cars, the AMR25 and FW47 respectively, adapted to accept the prototype tyres. Red Bull used a mule car based on the 2023 RB19 and Racing Bulls did the same with a VCARB01 from 2024.

The overall programme for this test is focussed on finalising what slick compounds to use for next season. In fact, the tyre construction was homologated on 1^st September, as per the regulations. The test in Monza is the seventh session organised by Pirelli so far this year to develop the new tyres which, while sticking with an 18 inch diameter are slightly narrower, by 25 mm at the front and 30 mm at the rear. 

In the morning, the reigning world champion got through his programme, doing 59 laps before handing over to Tsunoda, who did 63 in the afternoon. Verstappen’s best time was a 1’24”117, set on his 25^th lap, while the Japanese driver posted a 1’23’’826 on his 30th lap. In the Aston Martin, Drugovich completed 118 laps over the course of the day, with a best time of 1'23''792 set on lap 37.

Carlos Sainz did 49 laps in the Williams with a best time of 1’22’’388 set on lap 30. Isack Hadjar completed 65 laps, his best being a 1’23’’951 set on lap 41. The times have no comparative value as they are linked to the specific programme assigned to each driver.

All teams tried the softest compounds in the range. Racing Bulls and Williams ran the C4, C5 and C6, while Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin also tried the C3. The programme began with quick lap runs to see the pure performance levels of the various compounds, before switching to longer runs to check the level of degradation. Ambient temperature ranged from 22°C and 27°C while the track varied between 24°C and 40°C.

Inevitably, tomorrow’s programme will depend on the weather. If it only rains in the morning then the slick tyre testing will resume in the afternoon, with just Racing Bulls and Williams on track. If the rain continues into the afternoon, but not too heavily, then Pirelli might take the opportunity to also test the Cinturato Full Wet and Intermediate tyres. That would produce some useful data relating to the crossover point between the different compounds.

It was again hot today – between 21 and 29 °C air temperatures, 31 and 53 °C track temperatures – with a similar programme of testing to yesterday. The two drivers at work today – Franco Colapinto for the French team and Charles Leclerc for the Italian team – had a morning plan including short distance comparisons of different prototypes of compounds from C3 to C5 to check their level of overall performance. Then the afternoon was due to focus on long runs to check their performance over longer distances; at this stage, a version of the C2 was also tested over a long run.

The two teams both took to the track with mule cars – which had been adapted to fit the tyres with the 2026 measurements (still with an 18” diameter but 25 mm narrower at the front and 30 mm narrower at the rear) – and both using cars based on the chassis that they are using this season.

Unfortunately the programme was only partially completed because Alpine was forced to interrupt the test when Colapinto went off the track in the first part of the morning session. The car suffered damage which meant that he was unable to return to the track before the end of the session. Up to that moment the Argentine driver had completed 25 laps, with a fastest time of 1’20”270. By contrast Leclerc was able to complete a full programme, ending the day with a total of 144 laps and a fastest time of 1’19’’407.

“These have been two useful days for making progress with the development of our compounds for next season, given that we are now entering the home straight,” said Mario Isola, the head of Pirelli Motorsport. “The Hungaroring is a demanding track due to its many slow curves and the amount of energy that goes into the tyres on a lap that is rather short. This makes it a challenging place to test tyres, in particular for the compounds that will be central to the 2026 range – which will go from C1 to C6 like this year.

We have collected a lot of data, although it was a pity that we lost some of our potential mileage today when Colapinto went off the track, even though this was not in any way linked to the tyres. As for construction, we have verified our final solutions as far as homologation is concerned, ahead of the regulations coming on September 1. By contrast we now have three further test sessions – in Monza, Mugello and Mexico City – to conclude the development of the compounds, whose homologation is due on December 15.”

On a day marked by ambient temperatures ranging between 21°C and 31°C and track temperatures between 29°C and 56°C, the day’s programme focused on a comparison of various prototypes of the C3, C4 and C5 compounds. In the morning, the drivers carried out short runs to check the performance level of each of these, before switching to longer runs in the afternoon to observe their behaviour over longer distances.

The three teams all ran mule cars, adapted to fit the dimensions of the 2026 tyres which, while retaining the 18” diameter, are 25 mm narrower at the front and 30 at the rear. McLaren and Alpine’s cars were based on their 2023 model, while Racing Bulls used one from last season.

All three drivers on track today had also been at the wheel over the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend: McLaren fielded race winner Lando Norris, in the Racing Bulls was Liam Lawson, while Paul Aron, who had driven in the first free practice session last Friday for Sauber, was behind the wheel of the Alpine.

As for lap times and distances completed, Paul Aron was quickest in 1’18’’789, followed by Lando Norris (1’19’’272) and Liam Lawson (1’19’’510) completing 159, 144 and 143 laps respectively.

Testing continues tomorrow, when Alpine’s current line-up of Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly will both drive the A525. They will be joined by Charles Leclerc at the wheel of a modified Ferrari SF-25.

Lance Stroll was at the wheel of a mule-car based on the Aston Martin AMR25. The Canadian completed a total of 126 laps, the quickest in a time of 1’30”195. For a second day, Gabriel Bortoleto was on driving duty in a Sauber C45, raced by the Swiss team last year, but adapted to fit the 2026 tyres. The Brazilian completed 110 laps, setting a best time of 1’33”188.

"It’s been a really productive, positive couple of days, and a good chance to get more laps under my belt here in Silverstone, which is a track I really enjoy: I would like to thank both the team and Pirelli for this opportunity” commented Gabriel Bortoleto, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber. “We went through our entire programme for both days, and everything went smoothly. It was also important to get an initial feel for the 2026 tyres – as well as supporting Pirelli with our input. I started to build confidence with them, and the improved traction compared to this year’s compounds seems to allow for a cleaner and more controlled throttle application on corner exit."

“We are now in the crucial phase of 2026 tyre development and at Silverstone, we pretty much completed our work on construction,” explained Mario Isola, Pirelli Director of Motorsport. “Now, as usual, we will analyse all the data and reach conclusions prior to homologation, which is due to take place in early September. In addition, we were able to compare the most likely options for the hard compounds on the Silverstone track that is very tough on tyres. We still have more time to complete this, given that the cut-off date stipulated in the regulations is in November. We will conduct further test sessions, starting with one at the Hungaroring on 5 and 6 August, in other words, immediately after the Hungarian Grand Prix. Then there will be a further three sessions, in Monza, Mugello and Mexico City, to help us make the final choices.”

The task of collaborating on this complex and important phase of preparation for next season fell to Aston Martin, who were the first team to test the prototype tyres on track last September in Barcelona, this time joined by Sauber, who were trying this type of tyre for the very first time.

Two Brazilians were driving today: Felipe Drugovich was behind the wheel of the Aston Martin AMR25, while Gabriel Bortoleto was driving the Sauber C45. Both cars were specially adapted to suit the 2026 tyres, which are 25 millimetres narrower at the front and 30 at the rear.

Today’s work focused mainly on a comparison of the latest constructions prior to their being homologated, which is scheduled for this coming 1 September. Drugovich completed 112 laps, the quickest in 1'30''119 and Bortoleto did 110, the best being a 1’ 1’31’’341.

Testing continues tomorrow with Sauber’s young Brazilian still driving, while Canada’s Lance Stroll takes over at Aston Martin. 

Charles Leclerc was driving today and he completed 110 laps, the best in 59”210, set on slicks, while his quickest lap on intermediates was a 1’06”180.

“First of all, I want to thank Ferrari for their hospitality and technical support as well as for the commitment from their drivers,” commented Mario Isola, Pirelli Director of Motorsport. “These two days of testing have been very useful, allowing us to round off the on-track development work for next year’s intermediate and full wet tyres.
Now we will carefully analyse all the data and finalise the definitive solutions. It’s never easy working on the development of rain tyres, because it’s hard to consistently replicate track conditions and temperature also plays an important part. That’s even more the case this year because the mule cars obviously cannot fully replicate the loads and behaviour expected from the cars built to the new 2026 regulations. We had to make the best of the situation and I think we have obtained some interesting results, which, next year, will allow us to provide teams with an improved product, both in terms of performance and the operating window, when compared to the current tyres.”

The next test session for 2026 will take place at Silverstone in the week following the British Grand Prix.

Guanyu Zhou was at the wheel of an SF-25, modified to accommodate the dimensions of the 2026 tyres. The Chinese driver completed 159 laps. His best time of all was a 59”820, set on dry weather tyres while preparing for the day’s work. His best time around the 2.976 kilometre track on intermediate tyres was a 1’07”400. 

Testing continues at this track tomorrow, when Charles Leclerc will be at the wheel.

Pirelli is already the global partner of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship and the FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 Championships and, with this announcement, it reaffirms its role as sole tyre supplier for all FIA-run categories. In addition, Pirelli is also the designated sole tyre supplier for the Formula Regional and Formula 4 World Cups to be run as part of the Macau Grand Prix from 13 to 16 November.

Pirelli has supplied tyres to Formula Regional since its inception in 2019. Two years later, the European series became the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) following a merger with Formula Renault. Now it is poised for a major change with the introduction of a new car as from 2026. Pirelli will develop a new 15” tyre for this car, which will provide a higher technical specification, more excitement on track and standardised performance across all championships. The aim is to provide a consistent development path for drivers, irrespective of the region in which they race. As the new car is gradually introduced across all the Formula Regional championships, Pirelli will extend its exclusive supply.

The Macau Grand Prix, at which Pirelli will also supply tyres to competitors in the FIA GT World Cup, is one of the most important events on the motorsport calendar. This year’s edition will also feature the debut of the new FIA F4 World Cup, thereby aligning all the key junior categories to motor racing’s top level under the Pirelli banner. In Macau, the world’s best young drivers will take centre stage on track in an event which has launched the careers of many Formula 1 world champions.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President
“With Pirelli on board as exclusive tyre partner, Formula Regional is set to thrive and deliver incredible racing and greater sporting parity across our different championships so that we offer young drivers an equal opportunity to show their skill.

This next phase for Formula Regional reflects our ambition to create a truly modern, competitive, and accessible platform for developing drivers. With technical innovation at its core, controlled costs, and a clear pathway from regional series to the top tiers of the sport, we are investing in the future of global motor sport.”

Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport Director
“We are delighted to have been appointed sole tyre supplier for the FIA certified Formula Regional championships. Pirelli is proud of its role in the pyramid of single-seater series, present in all categories from top to bottom. It is a significant endorsement of the worth of our technology, and the quality and reliability of our tyres, but above all, it recognises our ability to deliver specific products for every level of driver development, meeting the targets set by the FIA and the various promoters.

We are also particularly pleased that Pirelli will once again be on track at the Macau event, supplying the FR and the F4 cars as they tackle the Guia Circuit, one of the most exciting challenges in motor racing.”

“Our ongoing test programme is coming to its decisive phase,” explained Pirelli Director of Motorsport, Mario Isola. “In fact, by 1^st September, the constructions will have to be homologated, while for the compounds we have until 1^st December. Here in Barcelona, a track that provides a stern test for tyres, we evaluated the hardest compounds in the range and accumulated valuable data that we will verify at the Silverstone test in July following the British Grand Prix.  I wish to thank the three teams and their respective drivers that worked with us during this test. We know it’s not straightforward to stay on at a track for a further two days following a triple-header which ended last Sunday.”

The next development test for 2026 will take place on 19 and 20 June at the Fiorano track where, over the two days, Scuderia Ferrari will be testing wet weather prototype tyres.

At the wheel of the Mercedes was George Russell, while Isack Hadjar drove the Racing Bulls, both of them having secured good results in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix. They were driving mule cars based on their respective teams’ 2024 cars. By the end of the day, the Englishman had completed 136 laps, the quickest in 1'16''920, while the Frenchman did 146 laps, the best being a 1'18''334. Mercedes will continue testing tomorrow, this time with Andrea Kimi Antonelli, joined by Oracle Red Bull Racing and their Japanese driver, Yuki Tsunoda.

Today’s programme focused on comparison testing between various extreme wet and intermediate tyre prototypes and, again today, this took place on the 2.630 kilometre-long National layout at the English circuit, artificially soaked using water tankers. Russell completed 80 laps, the quickest in 46’’190, bringing the total distance covered over the two days to 481 kilometres.

“First of all, I want to thank Mercedes and its drivers for their cooperation. To get straight back on track immediately off the back of a Grand Prix on the other side of the Atlantic is a major commitment and we truly appreciate it,” commented Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport Director. “It was a very useful test, because it allowed us to gather valuable insights on our rain tyres, to add to those acquired in Paul Ricard back in January. With the intermediates we were able to confirm that the on-track development matches our expectations, while the results with the full wets were inconclusive and will need to now be thoroughly analysed in the coming days to continue refining the product for next season.”

The next test session to prepare for 2026, this time focussed on the slicks, is scheduled for 3 and 4 June at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, in the days following the Spanish Grand Prix. Mercedes will once again be on hand, this time joined by Racing Bulls. The next wet weather tyre test will take place on 19 and 20 June, when just Ferrari will be on hand at their own Fiorano track, which is equipped with an artificial track irrigation system.

The English circuit’s 2.630 kilometre National track layout was artificially watered using water trucks. Antonelli completed 103 laps, the quickest in a time of 47”560. During the first part of the day, the work focussed on the intermediate tyres, before switching to extreme wets in the afternoon.

“Another very useful day for the development of the 2026 tyres,” commented Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Director of Motorsport. “Almost 2,700 kilometres completed, we have been able to gather a significant amount of data to take forward in our programme. I would like to really thank the drivers and teams who extended their stay at the Bahrain track by a further three days at what is such a busy time, with less than two weeks to go to the first race. In Sakhir we continued with a comparison of different types of construction and compound, the latter at the hardest end of the range, to suit the characteristics of this track. Now, our colleagues in R&D will analyse the information carefully and provide useful indications so that we can continue to improve the product for the next generation of cars.”

The next test session for the 2026 tyres will take place at Silverstone (UK) on 7 and 8 May: Mercedes will be on track, working on the development of the intermediate and extreme wet tyres. Formula 1 returns to Bahrain for the 21st edition of this Grand Prix over the weekend of 11 to 13 April.
 

The aim is the same since the start of this year, to develop the new generation of 18” tyres, with a smaller diameter and narrower by 25 millimetres at the front and 30 at the rear, that will be used as from 2026.

Today’s programme focused on evaluating various different constructions, but with the same compound. Spain’s Carlos Sainz was at the wheel for Williams, completing a total of 116 laps, the fastest in a time of 1’34”740, while Alpine fielded Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa, who made the trip from the Lusail circuit where last Friday, he had been racing in the 1812 kilometres of Qatar, the opening round of the World Endurance Championship. He completed 131 laps, the best being a 1’35”336. Both cars were specially modified to accommodate the new specification of tyre, based on those used in the 2023 season: the Alpine A523 and the Williams FW45.

Testing continues at this circuit tomorrow, when Paul Aron will drive the Alpine and Alexander Albon the Williams. 
 

Three teams were on track: BWT Alpine F1 Team ran both days, joined yesterday by the McLaren F1 Team and today by the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 TEAM. Today, the Australian Jack Doohan ran a mule car based on the Alpine A523, while Englishman George Russell was at the wheel of a W15, the car he drove last season, adapted to fit the new dimension of tyre. A total of 248 laps were completed, split as follows: 113 for Doohan and 135 for Russell. The two teams ran different programmes so their performance cannot be compared, but for the record, the Australian’s best lap time was a 1’17’’255 and the Englishman posted a 1’17’976.

“Yet another good test in the early days of 2025, thanks to the vital collaboration of the three teams involved,” commented Pirelli’s Director of Motorsport, Mario Isola. “In addition to the data gathered in Paul Ricard and the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, we now have a great deal of very important information from the Jerez circuit. Even though it has not featured on the championship calendar for many years now, it is still an interesting test bench, partly down to the good weather it enjoys at this time of year. Now we still have one more test session prior to the start of the 2025 season, to bring to an end this initial and crucial phase of working on track. The information gathered so far will allow us to direct our development in an ever more precise fashion for the coming tests.”

Pirelli’s next session will take place at the Sakhir circuit on 2 and 3 March, when Alpine will once again be on track, this time joined by Williams. 

Just like last week in Catalonia, this session was focused on the development of solutions for the slicks in the variety of tyres for 2026. In particular the teams tried out different combinations of constructions and compounds, which ranged from C2 to C4.

As the day progressed Patricio O’Ward took to the track at the wheel of the MCL60 while Pierre Gasly drove the A523 Alpine, both ‘mule’ versions of the cars that competed in the 2023 championship. The Mexican driver racked up a total of 153 laps while the Frenchman completed 157 laps. The fastest laps the drivers recorded in the course of the day were 1’19’’484 for O’Ward and 1’18’’092 per Gasly, though these were far from meaningful marks given the specifics of the different work programmes Pirelli carried out with the two teams.

The test session at the Circuito Angel Nieto will continue tomorrow with a partial change of line-up on track. In accordance with the scheduled programme McLaren will be replaced by the Mercedes mule car driven by George Russell. The Englishman will be on track alongside Alpine for the day’s two sessions: Jack Doohan will be driving for the French team.
 

This will be the 33rd edition of what is a unique event in the world of motorsport, given that it pits drivers that excel in various disciplines, from Formula 1 to rallying, as well as other four and two wheeled competitions on both road and track, against one another. Since 1988, the Race of Champions has been held in 11 countries, featuring prestigious locations, such as the Olympic stadia in Peking and London, and the latter city’s Wembley Stadium, the Stade de France in Paris, the Foro Sol in Mexico City, as well as other cities including Bangkok, Miami, Riad and the islands of Gran Canaria and Barbados. It has even been staged near the Arctic Circle in the Swedish city of Pitea. This year it makes its debut in Oceania, specifically, the beautiful city of Sydney. 

In the past, the Race Of Champions has featured legendary names including, from Germany, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, France’s Sebastien Loeb and Finland’s Marcus Gronholm, with American racing represented by Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Josef Newgarden. This year’s entry list is equally impressive, with the return of the 2015 winner, Vettel, as well as Loeb who actually beat the four time Formula 1 world champion to clinch the win in 2022. Also taking part, from Germany, a 2023 finalist, Mick Schumacher, the Finn Valtteri Bottas, Australia’s Will Brown, the reigning Supercars champion, Sweden’s Johan Kristofferson, a seven time WRX world champion, the American 2004 NASCAR champion Kurt Busch and another Swede Mattias Ekström, a two time DTM champion and the most successful ROC competitor with four previous wins to his name.

All competitors will go head-to-head in a variety of cars, four-wheel drive ones for rallycross and rear-wheel drive for the on and offroad events, with drivers racing in a type of against-the-clock challenge on two parallel tracks created within the Accor Stadium, a venue that has hosted many great events, including the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the Rugby World Cup final in 2003 and the women’s football World Cup in 2023. Pirelli will supply all the cars, using the most suitable tyres from the range used in the FIA World Rally Championship up to the end of last year, as well as those used on track in GT races, in a variety of sizes from 15” to 18”, selected with the aim of allowing the drivers to put on the best possible show.

On Friday 7 March, the drivers will be paired up according to their nationality as they compete in the Nations Cup. The individual competition takes place the next day, with preliminary heats followed by knockout rounds to decide who can claim the title of Champion of Champions.

Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport Director:
“The Race Of Champions is a unique event, because it sees drivers from very different disciplines compete on equal terms, highlighting their talent and providing a very exciting show. For Pirelli this partnership is a great opportunity to be associated with an event which is now a traditional fixture on the motorsport calendar and which, this year, is taking place for the first time in Australia, a country known for its great love of motorsport.”

Fredrik Johnsson, President and Owner of the Race Of Champions:
“We are very pleased to welcome Pirelli as the Official Tyre Supplier to the Race Of Champions World Final in Sydney. We spoke at length with Mario (Isola) about how well Pirelli and the Race Of Champions go together and of the many activation opportunities we will be able to develop together to celebrate two iconic elements of motorsport, the brand and Pirelli tyres. We hope that the ROC Sydney will be the start of a long and mutually successful partnership.”

A total of 300 laps was completed today, 74 by the Monegasque driver, 74 for his British team-mate and 152 for the Australian. Here are the fastest recorded lap times, although they have no real significance given the different work programmes carried out for Pirelli by the two teams: 1'14''971 for Leclerc, 1'16''759 for Hamilton and 1'15''815 for Piastri.

“It was a very useful session, particularly when it came to providing a comparison between the various different constructions for next season, as well as experimenting with some compounds from the harder end of the range,” commented Pirelli Motorsport Director, Mario Isola. “The Barcelona circuit is known as one of the most demanding for the tyres in terms of the energy exerted and degradation, therefore the information we have gathered over these two busy days will be very important for the future development of this generation of tyres. It’s a really demanding start to the year with four test sessions even before the season begins and I want to thank all the teams that are working with us, because we know how busy they are at the moment.”

Following on from last week’s test in Paul Ricard and this one in Barcelona, the team of Pirelli engineers are heading further south next week, for two days of testing at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, in Andalusia on 12 and 13 February. Alpine will be taking part on both days, while McLaren and Mercedes will do one day each. The final pre-season test will take place at Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit on 2 and 3 March with Alpine and Williams running both days. This same venue will then host the only three day test when all teams will run their 2025 cars prior to the opening round, the Australian Grand Prix. 

Three race drivers were on duty today, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc sharing a modified SF-24, while Lando Norris was at the wheel of the MCL60, specifically adapted to support testing with the FIA Formula 1 World Championship’s sole tyre supplier. Last week’s work for the Pirelli engineers focused on the intermediate and extreme wet tyres and this time the programme centred around development of the slicks. Specifically being tested were various combinations of construction and compound, the latter from the hardest end of the range, from the C1 to the C3, as they are well suited to the Spanish track which is particularly demanding on tyres.

A total of 332 laps was completed: Hamilton doing 87 (best time 1'15''930), Leclerc 86 (1'16''060) and Norris 159 (1'15''215).

Testing at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit continues tomorrow, when Oscar Piastri will drive for McLaren, with Leclerc and Hamilton again in the Ferrari, the former in the morning and the latter in the afternoon.
 

Today and yesterday, the 3.463 kilometre long 2A version of the Le Castellet track was in use. On the first day Oscar Piastri completed 120 laps, with a best time of 1'07''008, while today Lando Norris completed 123 laps, with a best time of 1'07''956. Between them, they covered 840 kilometres, all on a wet track. Yesterday, when it was dry and today, with intermittent rain, the track’s surface was artificially irrigated with water tankers and sprinklers in order to ensure the track conditions were as uniform as possible to allow the most effective evaluation of the test data gathered with the various prototypes.

"The first test session of 2025 proved very useful,” commented Mario Isola, Pirelli Director of Motorsport. “When testing wet weather tyres it’s not easy to consistently reproduce the same track conditions to get reliable data, but over these past two days we were able to acquire plenty of information that will be vital when it comes to defining the new intermediate and extreme wet tyres. It’s going to be a very busy start to the season for those of our engineers working on development: after this test at Paul Ricard, we have a further two test sessions in the coming two weeks. Both of them are in Spain and will focus on dry weather tyres. On 4 and 5 February, McLaren and Ferrari will be on track at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit and then, on 12 and 13 at Jerez de la Frontera, Alpine will be working with us on both days, while McLaren and Mercedes will do one day each.” 
 

Photo credit: Morgan Mathurin

In the morning, Oscar Piastri was at the wheel of a McLaren F1 Team MCL60. He was unable to get through the planned number of laps, because of the extremely cold conditions with some parts of the track surface only reaching -2°C. However, he made up for it in the afternoon, fully completing the day’s planned programme.

The opening day of this first test of 2025 ended with the McLaren having completed 120 laps, with a best time of 1'07''008, running on a track layout measuring 3.463 kilometres. Tomorrow, Lando Norris takes over driving duties when the programme focuses on testing full wet and intermediate tyres for the 2026 season, which while maintaining the current 18” rim diameter, feature a slightly reduced width and external diameter on both the front and rear axles.

Even though rain is forecast for tomorrow, that does not rule out the use of artificial sprinklers and water tankers, which were used today when testing both types of tyre. 
 

Photo credit: Morgan Mathurin

This was the third and final test session, all of them lasting two days, which Pirelli has completed this year, aimed at the 2026 season. Prior to this one, there were sessions at the Barcelona and Mugello tracks, running dry weather tyres. These tests will resume in 2025, while on Tuesday 10 December at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit, there will be a test for all teams to assess for the first time the final version of the dry weather tyres for the 2025 season. 

The test is taking place in collaboration with the BWT Alpine F1 Team which brought along a modified version of the A523, adapted to accept the new size of wheel rim. Driving duties were entrusted to the Australian, Jack Doohan, this year’s reserve driver for the French team, who is being promoted to the role of race driver as from next season. Unfortunately, a technical problem on the car reduced the time spent on track: Doohan completed a total of 47 laps, the best in a time of 1’16”461, set on slick tyres. Dry weather tyres were used at first, before switching to testing the intermediates and extreme wets on the artificially watered track.

Testing continues at Magny-Cours tomorrow, again with Doohan behind the wheel.

Once again today, the Pirelli engineers worked on two parallel programmes: Red Bull and Ferrari focused on development of compounds for 2025, especially the hardest in the planned range for next season. McLaren meanwhile ran a mule car in Mugello, for its first experience of running prototype tyres for the 2026 season.

For the first hour in the morning, the track was still damp, to the extent that all three cars ran intermediate tyres, which actually produced useful information, especially as Mugello is such a demanding track. From 11am onwards it was possible to run slicks to try and get through all the planned programme.

Over the course of the day, a total of 390 laps was completed. Lando Norris drove the most laps (118 in a time of 1’21’’302), followed by Liam Lawson (116 laps, 1’23’’219), Charles Leclerc (79 laps, 1’21’’053) and Carlos Sainz (77 laps, 1’21’’890). The next stage of the development programme for next year’s compounds will take place on 25 October during the second free practice session for the Mexico City Grand Prix, designated as an in-competition test, while work on the 2026 prototypes resumes on 13 and 14 November at Magny-Cours (France) using a mule car run by the Alpine team.

There were two different programmes scheduled for today. Liam Lawson, who is fulfilling his role as reserve driver with Oracle Red Bull Racing before he jumps into his seat with Visa Cash App RB next week in Austin was due to work on finalising compounds for the 2025 season while the McLaren F1 Team, with Lando Norris in the cockpit of a mule car was due to try for the first time the prototypes of the tyres to be used as from 2026. These have the same 18” diameter as the current ones, but the width and external diameter are slightly smaller on both the front and rear axles.

Weather permitting, testing resumes tomorrow. The same two teams and drivers will be on track, joined for the day by Scuderia Ferrari HP, with Charles Leclerc, working on next year’s tyres.

After rain made for limited track time yesterday, the weather again had its say today, with occasional rain and rather cool conditions. Therefore, development of the extreme wet and intermediate tyres was able to continue starting with the work that it had not been possible to carry out yesterday. By the end of the day, the English driver had completed 86 laps, equivalent to 379.7 kilometres, the quickest in a time of 1’28”428. Pirelli’s development testing resumes next week, on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 at the Mugello circuit. Three teams will be on hand: Red Bull Racing and Ferrari will work on tyres for next season, while McLaren will be the second team to play its part in supporting Formula 1’s Global Tyre Supplier in the development of tyres for 2026.

Unfortunately, the bad weather meant any meaningful work was almost impossible, the German driver completing just 29 laps, the quickest in a time of 1’39”72. Testing continues tomorrow, again with Mercedes, when driving duties will fall to George Russell.

Carrying on from yesterday, Brazil’s Felipe Drugovich, the English team’s reserve driver, was again at the wheel. He completed 722 kilometres today, bringing the total for the test to 1,392.

“It was a positive debut, as we gathered plenty of information which will prove useful as we continue the development of this new product,” commented Mario Isola, Pirelli Director of Motorsport. “In this very early stage, it’s important to understand the correlation of the simulation of the loads and the actual reproduction of them on track. To do this, the cooperation of the teams is vital and therefore, I want to thank Aston Martin for having provided a modified car to enable this test to take place. Now our engineers will analyse the data, while in parallel, continuing to develop the product for the next test session which will take place at the Mugello circuit on 8 and 9 October, in collaboration with the McLaren F1 Team.”

After the first stages of design, simulation and test bed work, in parallel, the development programme will involve a series of track tests carried out with the vital collaboration of the teams. As per the first version of the technical regulations, the details of which remain to be finalised, the aerodynamic configuration of the cars will be very different and therefore the loads exerted on the tyres will also change. Track testing is therefore important to reproduce as closely as possible the conditions which will be found in 2026.  Therefore, the teams taking part in the tests will use a modified car and the first of these is Aston Martin who provided an adapted 2023 car.

The Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team’s reserve driver, Felipe Drugovich was on track today. The Brazilian, a member of the Silverstone-based squad’s Academy completed 670 kilometres and will be back on track again tomorrow.

The test was run with Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team e Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, who fielded their respective race drivers, Valtteri Bottas and Yuki Tsunoda, the latter taking over from Daniel Ricciardo who drove yesterday. Having a Japanese driver on track accounted for their being a crowd of a few hundred fans in the grandstands, proving just how popular Formula 1 is here.

Rain had affected the first few hours of yesterday’s session, but track conditions were perfect today, with air temperature reaching 20 °C, with a track temperature of 37 °C.

Both drivers completed a lot of laps: today’s Stakhanovite award went to Bottas (149 laps, the quickest in 1’33”983) and Tsunoda’s work load was also impressive (115 laps, best time 1’34”337).

“First of all, I must thank Racing Bulls and Sauber and the three drivers, for the support they provided during this test,” commented Mario Isola, Director of Pirelli Motorsport. “Staying at the same track for a further two days in this early part of the season when Formula 1 is working flat out, is no small matter. As is always the case in this type of test, the drivers can be said to be working in the dark, in other words without knowing what type of prototype they are testing, alternating with the current tyres, so that their feedback is completely unbiased. With over 3000 kilometres covered at Suzuka, we have acquired a huge amount of data on the slicks, as well as some information relating to the intermediate tyres. Over the coming months, this year’s test programme will continue to focus on finalising a construction that provides greater durability and on a complete renewal of the range of compounds, with the aim of reducing overheating. In addition, as from September, development will also start on the 2026 tyres.”

Valtteri Bottas (Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber): “Today has been a great day for track action – the sun shined throughout both sessions, and the laps we did amounted to almost three full race distances. It was another smooth day, the car felt very good, and we went through several compounds in order to gather important feedback for Pirelli, which will result in margins for improvement for the future. Overall, it’s been two good, productive days from my side – it could be a lot worse than spending two extra days driving in Suzuka! Now, I’ll be heading straight to the simulator back at base in Hinwil, as preparations for Shanghai are already underway.”

Yuki Tsunoda (Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team): "I love Suzuka and am always happy when I get to drive here – I never get bored of this circuit and it’s amazing to see so many fans still around the track. The good weather meant both the morning and afternoon sessions went very smoothly on the slick tyres and I’m glad we were able to complete our full programme, providing Pirelli with lots of good data, so it was a successful day.” 

Pirelli’s next development test sessions take place on 28 and 29 May at Le Castellet (France) and on 14 and 15 June at Mugello (Italy).

The work programme centred on comparing different compounds and constructions for next season, specifically finalising a decision on a new construction and a family of compounds aimed at significantly reducing overheating. One car from each of the two teams was on track today, driven by Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo.

Although the sun came out later in the day, early morning rain meant it was also possible to evaluate new rain tyre solutions, for both Intermediates and those for extreme conditions. It was a good opportunity, as the conditions were not right to try these out at the winter tests in Barcelona and Jerez.

The main purpose of the wet weather test was to identify solutions aimed at running the Intermediates without heating blankets, something already applied for the Extreme tyre at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix, while also looking at reducing overheating with the extreme wet. This latter point is also on the development programme for slicks for next year and, here at Suzuka, a track that is particularly hard on tyres, work was carried out to identify the best solutions with the hardest compounds.

Early morning rain at the Japanese track meant that wet weather tyres were used in the first hour of the session. Valtteri Bottas in the C44 and Daniel Ricciardo in the VCARB01 did their first runs on new versions of the Cinturato Intermediate and Full Wet when air and track temperature were both around the 14 °C mark. Then, as from 10am, it was dry enough for slicks. Over the course of the day, the temperatures rose to 17 °C ambient and 29 °C track.

Bottas and Ricciardo completed 133 and 106 laps respectively (17 and 16 in the wet). The Finn’s best time was a 1’34’’002 and the Australian stopped the clocks in 1’34’’815. Lap times are not significant as the tyre development programmes were different on both cars.

Valtteri Bottas (Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber): “Day one went smoothly from my side – we went through the entire plan of the day, and gathered lots of useful data about next year’s tyres for Pirelli. The weather was a bit tricky in the morning after the heavy rains, but that actually worked out well as it allowed us to test the Intermediate tyres. Then, once the track was dry enough, we went through with our programme, doing several laps and testing different tyre compounds. Every time we are on track, it’s also another opportunity for our entire crew to improve so, overall, it’s been a good, productive day, with more to come tomorrow”.

Daniel Ricciardo (Visa CashApp RB Formula One Team): “A productive day with Pirelli, testing some 2025 compounds. Unfortunately, we had limited running this morning due to the weather conditions, but on a positive note, it allowed us to explore both wet and inter compounds which we don’t often utilise. The afternoon programme went smoothly; we completed our run plan and were able to provide some constructive data to Pirelli – personally, it was nice to do a few laps of Suzuka after our race weekend”.

During the session, 12 different types of tyre were used, completing a total of 1200 kilometres. Testing continues all day tomorrow and the forecast for the Mie prefecture, which is home to the Suzuka circuit, is for sunny weather. Bottas will be back in the Sauber, while Yuki Tsunoda will be behind the wheel for Racing Bulls.

All the model cars, designed by the students using CAD systems and manufactured using CNC machines and 3D printers, have 'standard' Pirelli branded wheels. The edge is customised with the graphic reproduction of the Pirelli P Zero tyres used by real F1 cars on the track.

As in real life, the aerodynamics of the models are first tested virtually using computational fluid dynamics software and then in a smoke-filled wind tunnel. The acid test is to launch the models, fitted with compressed air cartridges, down a 24-metre straight to determine the fastest design.

Pirelli has set up online seminars that students will be able to follow in the coming weeks to better understand how tyres work in Formula 1 and what data the Milan-based company's engineers use to develop tyres for the world's most prestigious championship.

Mario Isola, Pirelli Head of Motorsport: "For years, Pirelli has been an enthusiastic supporter of projects aimed at informing the younger generation about the many opportunities that motorsport can offer. During the championship, our track engineers often meet groups of young students who are interested in learning more about certain STEM subjects, also to consider a career in racing. By listening to the experiences of our team members, we hope that they can gain inspiration for what could be their professional future, in a stimulating and highly competitive environment that can be incredibly rewarding”.

F1 in Schools Italy, born from the collaboration between Innovation Farm and Dallara, enters a crucial phase today. The participating teams, made up of a maximum of 6 students, will face a qualifying round at the end of February, from which a shortlist of possible national finalists will emerge. The top two groups will eventually be able to represent our country at the World Finals at the end of 2025.

The overwhelming majority of that distance was covered on the slick tyres: only 6.31% of those kilometres were driven on the Cinturato Intermediate or Cinturato Extreme Wet. The key protagonist (unsurprisingly, as it was nominated for every race) was the C3: used for 105,499 kilometres, which is more than a third of the total distance driven (36.57%). The C4 was the second most-used compound, with 27.43% of the total, followed by the C2 (15.41%) and C5 (13.55%). The least-used compound was the C1, with 5.73% of the total distance. The 3,800 kilometres driven during grand prix weekends on prototype tyres also need to be added to the total: in Barcelona, Suzuka, and Mexico City.

The longest stint of the year was completed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. On only his second Formula 1 race appearance, the Australian was forced to stop at the end of lap one to change a damaged front wing following contact with Pierre Gasly. At the same time, he bolted on a set of C2 tyres that he drove all the way to the flag: a total distance of 302.5 kilometres. In doing so, Piastri went two kilometres further than Esteban Ocon, who drove a single set of C3 tyres for 302.5 kilometres in Baku after starting on them from the pit lane, before making his mandatory pit stop on the penultimate of 51 scheduled laps. The Azerbaijan street circuit was also the scene of the longest stint of the year on the softest compound: Valtteri Bottas completed the entire sprint race distance on Saturday afternoon (17 laps, equivalent to 102 kilometres) with a set of C5 tyres. Bottas also holds the record for the longest distance on the hardest compound; namely 32 laps (equivalent to 188.4 kilometres) at Silverstone. The longest stint on the C4 was completed by another Alfa Romeo driver: Guanyu Zhou, who used it for 212.7 kilometres in Singapore.

Throughout the 2023 season, there were three different weekend formats with specific rules relating to tyre use. A total of 14 races adopted the classic weekend schedule of three free practice sessions, qualifying, and the race, while there were also six Sprint weekends – with just one free practice on Friday, followed by race qualifying, and Saturday’s Sprint Shootout and Sprint race, before the Grand Prix on Sunday. Finally, the ATA (Alternative Tyre Allocation) format was trialled on two occasions, with the goal of looking at ways to manage tyre use more efficiently. About a thousand sets of slicks for the 22 events were never used, while another 732 were driven only for one to three laps. As for the extreme wet tyres, Pirelli adopted a ‘strip and fit’ methodology this year; allowing tyres that were fitted but never used to be carried over to other events. This will help the teams to improve their tyre management, given that in 2023, for example, 1,304 sets of intermediate and wet tyres never completed a lap.

The Dutch Grand Prix was the race with the most tyre changes this year (counting both ‘real’ pit stops and tyre changes under a red flag). Because the weather kept on changing, with intermittent rain, there were 82 tyre changes in total, using every type of tyre: the three slick compounds, intermediates, and extreme wets were all seen on tack at various points. By contrast, the race with the fewest tyre changes was Miami, where all 20 drivers carried out just their one obligatory pit stop under the rules. The total number of tyre changes during the year (considering the sprint races as well) was 871.

Austin proved to be the hottest race of the year in terms of ambient temperature, with 34.7 degrees centigrade on Saturday during the Sprint race and 32.8 degrees during Sunday’s Grand Prix. Zandvoort was the coolest, with an average temperature of 15.1 degrees. In terms of asphalt temperature, Hungaroring was the hottest race of the year with 53.6 degrees, while the coolest was Las Vegas with 18.5 degrees.

THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO SERVES TO MAKE FORMULA 1 MORE SUSTAINABLE: FROM 2024, ALL THE F1 TYRES USED WILL BE FSC CERTIFIED (FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL)

Pirelli has extended its presence in Formula 1 as Global Tyre Partner, after Formula 1© and the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) accepted the Italian tyre firm’s offer for the three-year period from 2025 to 2027. There is also the additional option, from the FIA and FOM, to prolong the partnership for a further season. This latest agreement, set in motion with the technical dossier received from the FIA in June, has been ratified by the FIA World Motor Sport Council and nominates Pirelli as sole supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship as well as the Formula 2 and Formula 3 championships.

By the end of this latest contract (including the possible extension), Pirelli will have supplied Formula 1 for 18 consecutive years, having opened its most recent chapter in 2011. Throughout that era, Pirelli has been at the forefront of all the technical challenges posed by the pinnacle of motorsport. From its debut in 2011 with 13-inch high-degradation tyres to hybrid power units in 2014, then wider tyres from 2017 before moving to the current 18-inch size from 2022, Pirelli has always risen to the occasion with reliable products through every type of surface and weather, supporting the teams, the FIA, and Formula 1 in a timely and flexible way.

Pirelli’s commitment to Formula 1 – as is the case with all forms of motorsport, where the firm has been present for more than 110 years, in over 350 championships worldwide – represents an extraordinary opportunity to innovative and experiment with new processes and technologies. These include artificial intelligence: all with the aim of technology transfer onto the road.

Pirelli is not only Formula 1’s tyre supplier but also a global partner in the worldwide promotion of the sport, thanks to a number of initiatives both on and off the track. These include projects aimed at bringing on the next generation of young drivers throughout all the different feeder series – notably Formula 2 and Formula 3.

In addition, Pirelli supports the environmental sustainability targets set by Formula 1, as the sport has pledged to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030. The company is on the front line of research and development – together with the FIA and Formula 1 – into innovations on both a sporting and technical level, to complement the work already carried out to reduce CO₂ emissions throughout the entire life cycle of a Formula 1 tyre.

As a further demonstration of Pirelli’s sustainability work, starting from 2024, all tyres used in FIA Formula One World Championship events will be FSC®-certified (Forest Stewardship Council®)*. FSC forest management certification ensures full traceability of forest based materials along the supply chain and confirms that the plantations of the forest-based components of the tyres are managed in a way that preserves biological diversity and brings benefits to the lives of local communities and workers, while fostering economic sustainability

Marco Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli Executive Vice Chairman:

“We’re delighted to extend or presence in Formula 1 and its other related championships. Pirelli was there when Formula 1 was born in 1950, and with this latest renewal, the firm will now be a protagonist throughout nearly two decades of the modern Formula 1 era. Thanks to the impetus from Liberty Media and the support of the FIA, the sport is enjoying an extraordinary period of growth both in terms of audience and global expansion, increasing its following among younger generations as well. Innovation and technology are locked into Pirelli’s DNA, and Formula 1 constitutes the ultimate open air laboratory to not only try out and test new technical solutions, but also to accelerate fresh research, development, and production processes in making tyres. I would also like to thank everyone at Pirelli for their passionate commitment and the quality of their work over the years, which will continue as we extend this partnership together. Our commitment to sustainability is equally strong, as proved by the FSC certification that will be introduced to our F1 tyres from next year. Being at the forefront of motorsport’s pinnacle until at least 2027 adds another important value dimension to our company.”

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA:

“Pirelli has been operating at the top level of motor sport for many years and I am sure that they will continue to deliver innovation and excellence on the world stage. Formula 1 is a unique challenge for the tyre supplier, and Pirelli has demonstrated great commitment to producing tyres that meet the extreme demands of these incredible cars. I would like to thank Pirelli for its ongoing support of motor sport not only in Formula 1, but in many other championships and categories at every level. Work will continue in the coming years to take further strides both in terms of performance and sustainability, and Pirelli have made strong commitments to both of these targets.”

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1:

“Since returning to the sport in 2011 Pirelli has been an invaluable partner, supporting Formula 1 through new generations of technology and technical regulations and delivering tyres to enable fantastic racing for our fans. The company’s commitment to quality, innovation and their deep knowledge of our sport will be vital in the coming years as we approach our new regulations in 2026 and the work Pirelli is focused on relating to sustainability, proven by the FSC certification, will ensure we continue to work together towards our shared Net Zero 2030 goal.”

* FSC® N003618

Directed by Joseph Kosinksi (Top Gun: Maverick) and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, filming began at Silverstone during the British Grand Prix. Starring Brad Pitt as a former driver who returns to Formula 1, alongside Damson Idris as his team mate on APXGP, a fictional 11th team on the grid.

The APXGP team cars are equipped with Pirelli tyres, as are all the tyres that will be used during filming. The logo of the FIA Formula One World Championship's Global Tyre Partner also appears on the front wing and nose of Pitt and his teammate's car.

The framework described by the FIA is closely aligned to Pirelli’s motorsport strategy and so is of great interest, with the Italian company having been Global Tyre Partner to the sport for more than a decade, since 2011. A definitive decision about Pirelli’s participation in the selection process will naturally be taken after a detailed examination of the FIA’s document.

Pirelli's environmental approach will enable the group to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Motorsport activities are also moving in this direction, starting with Formula 1™: the company's principal campaign. Examples of Pirelli’s own environmental sustainability objectives, both in business and manufacturing, include the reduction of overall CO₂ emissions by 25% by 2025 (compared to 2015 levels) as well as the aim of purchasing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources: a target already achieved for all of Pirelli’s European plants.

Some of the measures that Pirelli has undertaken within Formula 1™ include increasing the use of renewable materials, elimination of single-use plastics from its trackside operations, and a supply chain that is fully managed according to environmental and social sustainability criteria. On top of that, Pirelli’s motorsport operation has successfully complied with a number of stringent sustainability audits that take in everything from carbon emissions to environmental impact.

Pirelli’s Senior Vice President of Prestige, Motorsport, Sustainability, and Future Mobility Giovanni Tronchetti Provera commented: “It’s a great honour for us to achieve the recognition of three stars from the FIA, as a focus on environmental sustainability is central to Pirelli’s development strategy and fully embedded in our motorsport business model. We have always placed an emphasis on sustainability in motorsport, working closely with the FIA and fully sharing the same vision of sustainable mobility and sport.”

FIA President Jean Todt said: “The FIA certification programme is an important standard to measure sustainability across motor sport. Congratulations to Pirelli’s motorsport team for achieving the level required to attain the three-star rating, which underlines its commitment to our crucial common objectives for environment.”

Stefano Domenicali, President and Chief Executive Officer of Formula 1™, added: “Pirelli has demonstrated a clear environmental direction and commitment that has led to it becoming the very first tyre company to pick up this award in motorsport. Formula 1 is well known for its innovation and technology, and we are using that heritage to ensure we have a sustainable future and solutions that can make a real-world difference. I want to congratulate Pirelli on this very impressive achievement and their ongoing dedication to Formula 1.”

Pirelli's commitment to the creation of sustainable value, a characteristic of the company's responsible management and its economic, social and environmental performances, has resulted in its inclusion in some of the world’s most prestigious sustainability stock market indices. In 2021, Pirelli was confirmed in the Dow Jones World and Europe Sustainability Indices and Global Compact LEAD of the United Nations: the only company from the Automobiles and Parts sector at global level. In 2020, the company was reconfirmed as one of the Global Leaders in the fight against climate change, gaining a place on the CDP’s Climate A list. Pirelli was also the only company in the Auto Components sector worldwide to be awarded the Gold Class Distinction in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2021.

About the FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme:

The FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme is aimed at helping motor sport and mobility stakeholders worldwide to measure and enhance their environmental performance. By introducing a clear and consistent environmental management system, it provides stakeholders with a three-level framework against which to accredit their activities:

1. One-Star – Basic practice: Demonstrate basic environmental performance and a commitment to improve.

2. Two-Star – Good practice: Demonstrate good environmental performance and be close to follow internationally developed roadmaps toward environmental management.

3. Three-Star – Best practice: Demonstrate best practice and commitment to seek continual improvement through the implementation of an environmental management system.

The switch to new low-profile tyres represents a technical revolution for the pinnacle of world motorsport, requiring an intense research and development programme that featured both indoor and outdoor testing. Compared to the previous-generation 13-inch covers, the move to 18 inches marks a clean-sheet design, with Pirelli’s engineers re-thinking every element of the tyre: from the profile to the structure to the compounds. There were 28 days of track testing for the new 18-inch tyres throughout 2021, making a grand total of 36 including the test days carried out at the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020, before a delay to the programme caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The development campaign for the new 18-inch tyres was a comprehensive operation from start to finish, involving more than 10,000 hours of indoor testing, more than 5000 hours of simulation, and more than 70 prototypes developed virtually, which resulted in 30 physical specifications tested on-track by the drivers. A total of 4267 laps were driven, making up more than 20,000 kilometres: around half the earth’s circumference. The numbers of sets used was 392, equivalent to 1568 tyres.

Nearly all the teams took part in Pirelli’s test programme along with 19 drivers: 15 of whom are regular competitors in the championship. The role of the drivers was crucial, with each one offering his own perspective throughout the different phases of development. This valuable feedback helped Pirelli evolve the new tyres step by step, taking into account the drivers’ comments and expectations.

MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF F1 AND CAR RACING

“With this latest wet test we finally close our development schedule for the new 18-inch tyres. Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic meant that we had to revise our test programme entirely, cancelling on-track testing to concentrate on simulation as well as virtual development and modelling. This system of virtual screening helped us optimise the number of physical prototypes produced and return to on-track testing for 28 days throughout 2021. We started off the development process with the profile, before moving onto the base construction, and finally homing in on the five compounds that we will homologate for next year. The results obtained up to now have been arrived at with the input of the drivers currently competing in the championship, a vital aspect for us, albeit using mule cars. Next year, we will still have some test days at our disposal, which will allow us to fine-tune the 2022 tyre with the new cars if needed. Once the specification has been validated by the FIA, the drivers will have the chance to try out the definitive 18-inch tyres at the test after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, although we will have to wait for next year’s pre-season tests to see these tyres in action on the 2022 cars for the first time.”

The proceeds from the auction, which can be accessed on https://www.32auctions.com/AIPFoundation, will be entirely donated to the AIP Foundation: a non-profit organisation that has been involved for years in promoting road safety projects ­– in particular for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists – in low and middle-income countries such as those of Southeast Asia.

The AIP Foundation, founded in 1999 by Greig Craft, is an organisation with 22 years of experience behind it. The foundation currently operates in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, India and China, with projects dedicated to education, road safety (particularly in schools) and production of safe yet low-cost helmets for local populations, with the involvement of disabled workers.

The association actively collaborates with the FIA, United Nations Road Safety Collaboration, Child Health Initiative, Safe Kids Worldwide and Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety.

The Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Sailing Team, winner of the PRADA Cup, has raced in New Zealand led by Team Director and Skipper Max Sirena at the 36^th America's Cup presented by PRADA: the world’s oldest sporting trophy and the most coveted on the international sailing scene.

The most recent tyre tender from the FIA and Formula 1 back in 2018 was for the supply of a 13-inch tyre during the 2020 season, followed by three consecutive seasons of 18-inch tyres from 2021 to 2023 inclusive.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which also disrupted the 2020 Formula 1 season, obliged the FIA and Formula 1 to implement emergency measures that included the cancellation of tyre development tests last year and the postponement of planned new technical regulations – which included 18-inch tyres – from 2021 to 2022. As a result, the current rules now state that 13-inch tyres will be used during the 2021 season, with a move to 18-inch tyres in 2022.

Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 President and Chief Executive Officer:

"The pandemic caused disruption across the world and Formula 1 was not immune from that. We therefore took the necessary measures last year to defer the regulations by one year to 2022. We are very proud of our partnership with Pirelli and grateful to them for their constructive approach to this timing change. Pirelli are very conscious of strategic role that the tyres have in F1 and we know that they are working very hard to make sure that their products will represent the best balance between performance and durability in the new technical context. We look forward to the start of the 2021 season and we are all excited for the new cars and new 18-inch tyres to hit the track under the new regulations in 2022.”

Jean Todt, FIA President:

“I want to thank Formula 1 and Pirelli for their collaboration, flexibility and commitment to our sport during this most difficult period. COVID-19 has presented us with significant challenges across all aspects of our businesses, but by working together in a sensible, pragmatic way, we have been able to ensure that the long term stability and strength of Formula 1 remains undiminished. The shift to 18” wheels and tyres will certainly provide a more exciting image for Formula 1 cars, but it has also presented a significant technical challenge requiring a lot of investment and development on behalf of Pirelli as they continue to deliver tyres that will perform at the highest level. In light of this, and the necessary postponement of the new regulations as a result of the pandemic, it is only logical to extend the supply of tyres accordingly”.

Marco Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer:

"The world of motorsport has also had to face up to the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, but the FIA and FOM did an extraordinary job to organise a 17-race championship in 2020. We’re obviously pleased to have reached this agreement that will extend our presence at the pinnacle of world motorsport until 2024. Pirelli has been alongside Formula 1 for more than 70 years, since the very first race in 1950, and the company continues to invest in the highest technological levels of research and development, as shown by the introduction of 18-inch tyres from next year. Motorsport forms part of our DNA and Formula 1 represents an open-air laboratory that allows us to apply the know-how gained on track into our road car tyres, starting off with the Ultra High Performance range that equips the most prestigious cars in the world”.

MARIO ISOLA, HEAD OF F1 AND CAR RACING

"We’re looking forward to resuming our tests for the new 18-inch tyres shortly, but as the Covid-19 pandemic – which led to the suspension of the test programme last year – is not yet over, it’s possible that our planned schedule for this year may have to be modified. As a result, we have a back-up plan too. Nonetheless, we have put together a programme that should enable us to pick up solidly from where we left off in 2019 and finalise the specification for a new generation of tyre under fresh regulations that will give Formula 1 a very different look next year. Many thanks to all the teams for their support in providing simulations and mule cars, giving us a good base to work from. We will be testing both our slick and wet prototype 18-inch tyres for 2022: we started already at Jerez in Spain for three days with Ferrari, and we will end up at France’s Magny-Cours circuit with Alpine in September.”

On Friday the teams will get the chance to run Pirelli’s 2021-specification tyres in Abu Dhabi, as was previously the case in FP1 and FP2 in Bahrain on November 27. These tyres were tested during FP2 in Portimao on October 23, and subsequently homologated by the FIA on November 1.

In Abu Dhabi, the teams will have one set of 2021 C4 compound per car to try out during FP2 only for a minimum of eight timed laps (as opposed to Bahrain, where there were two sets per car of the 2021 C3 compound).

The aim of the test is to allow teams and drivers to gather data that will be useful for next season. The new specification for 2021 has been developed to suit the continued evolution of the current cars and the expected loads on them next year.

Pirelli has left the teams free to define their own run plans in order to collect the information that will be most useful to them, but suggests using reduced pressures: 21.5 psi at the front and 19.5 psi at the back (1.5 psi and 0.5 psi lower respectively than the 2020 specification). Pirelli also suggests modifying the car set-up to allow the new structure to work at its best and compensate for any effects such as understeer.