P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell has proclaimed that the brand-new Pirelli tyres as part of next year’s new F1 regulations are “quite a step worse” after testing them last month.
The upcoming changes to technical regulations in Formula 1 will introduce narrower tires, 25mm at the front and 30mm at the rear, aimed at reducing drag on the cars. Teams have been conducting tests with modified mule cars to help Pirelli gather data on the new tires’ performance. Driver George Russell expressed skepticism towards the narrower tires he tested, noting the challenge compared to current wider tires. The 2026 cars are expected to generate 15% less downforce, but test runs so far may not accurately represent the actual on-track performance. Pirelli plans to provide teams with virtual tire models for simulator testing to gather more accurate feedback, a direction favored by the racing manager Mario Isola. Collaborative efforts between teams and Pirelli will be crucial for optimizing tire performance in the upcoming seasons.
