F1 | Here is what will be one of the critical points for the 2026 tyres
The 2026 Formula 1 cars are expected to reach top speed several hundred meters before the braking zone on the straights, creating higher loads once the X-Mode is deactivated. This is exactly where Pirelli expects the most critical situation for the tyres to appear.
After defining the structure of the 2026 tyres, Pirelli is now working on the compounds. This development will continue during the next tests scheduled at Monza (already completed), Mugello, and the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico.
The goal of the Milan-based company is to increase the performance gap between the different compounds, as had already been revealed in an article last week.
At Monza, Pirelli explained the main focus behind the design of the new tyres. From 2026 the cars will no longer feature the DRS system but instead will use X-Mode and Override Engine Mode. This will require drivers to adapt their driving style—particularly on the longer straights—in order to harvest the necessary energy for the MGU-K.
It is important to remember that the KERS will need to contribute 50% of the power of the new hybrid power units, with the other 50% provided by the internal combustion engine.
Pirelli’s F1 chief engineer Simone Berra explained: “Obviously we have revised the structure of the 2026 tyres compared to those of 2025, because next year we will have the straight-line mode, which uses low downforce on the straights and then higher downforce in the corners. So we essentially need to take into account these two very different conditions, which are not what we are dealing with at the moment. Therefore, we find ourselves in a completely new situation.”
Regarding the new driving style required, with the 2026 cars it will sometimes be necessary for drivers to brake earlier than they currently do. That will be one of the new critical points for the tyres.
Berra added: “In the past, the most critical moment was at the end of the straight, when maximum speed and maximum load were reached. With the next generation of cars, simulations show that top speed is not reached at the end of the straight but around 300 meters before the braking phase. Then, once straight-line mode is deactivated and braking begins, we have observed a significant increase in load. These will therefore be the most critical conditions for us.”
Pirelli has been working for months with mule cars provided by the teams and with advanced simulations to better understand the loads that the 2026 cars will generate. In addition, the tyres themselves will be different in size compared to the current ones. This change is expected to produce higher temperatures inside the carcass, although the exact figures are still uncertain.
“We are learning from the simulations provided by the teams, and we are also learning how to set the correct pressure values while considering the different characteristics of the cars. Obviously the structures will be different, the tyre dimensions will be different, and with those different dimensions, the compound characteristics in terms of mechanical and thermal resistance will also be different.”
Berra concluded: “Basically, we expect slightly higher carcass temperatures, but this will obviously need to be confirmed with the final car configurations. At the moment, during the tests, we have observed carcass temperatures similar to those of the current generation of cars. However, I expect that with the actual race cars, the carcass temperature will increase slightly.”
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