P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1’s 2026 mule car test in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday will impose speed limits on the straights and four DRS zones
The ‘mule car’ test in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for Formula 1 will involve speed limits on the straights and four DRS zones to mimic 2026 car performance. All 10 current teams will participate in the Pirelli tyre test at Yas Marina circuit. Pirelli will homologate five types of tyres for 2026, with all but the C1 being used in the test. The teams will field two cars each, one regular 2025 car driven by a ‘young driver’ and a mule car adapted for Pirelli’s 2026 tyre development driven by a race driver. The mule cars have Monza front and rear wing levels to simulate reduced downforce of 2026 cars, with a speed limit of 300km/h implemented by Pirelli to balance out load on the front and rear axles. Additionally, DRS zones on the mule cars for the test will be activated more frequently than on a typical race weekend to simulate the new rules for 2026 active aero.
