P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1, the FIA and the 10 teams have reached a conclusion on Pirelli’s tyres for 2026
F1, the FIA, and the 10 teams have agreed to keep the tires at 18 inches in size for the 2026 season. Discussions about making the cars significantly lighter for 2026 had included the possibility of reducing tire size to 16 inches, which Mercedes technical director James Allison opposed. Instead of reducing tire size, Allison suggested lowering the weight limit of the cars to encourage weight reduction. Pirelli’s focus has been on finalizing tire construction for 2025 and reducing overheating for both 2025 and 2026. Pirelli plans to start testing new tires for 2026 in September or October to gather information for the upcoming season. Despite some opposition, Pirelli, upon consulting with the FIA and the teams, has decided to stick with 18-inch tires for 2026 due to concerns about performance and durability with 16-inch tires.
