The weekend at the Hungaroring not only marked the conclusion of the first part of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship season, but also signalled the start of an essential phase of tyre testing that will play a decisive role in shaping the 2026 Formula 1 championship for Scuderia Ferrari and other teams on the grid. On Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 August, the Hungarian circuit is hosting two days of Pirelli testing sessions focused entirely on the development of tyres for the upcoming 2026 technical regulations.
These test sessions are a vital component of the process that will lead to the final approval of the new tyre specifications. According to the established deadlines, the construction of the tyres must be homologated by 1 September 2025, while the definitive compounds will need to be finalised and approved by 15 December 2025. For this reason, the Budapest tests represent a pivotal step not only for Pirelli, the exclusive tyre supplier for Formula 1, but also for the participating teams, as they work together during a period of major transition in the technical landscape of the sport.
Which teams are taking part in the Pirelli tyre tests after the Hungarian Grand Prix?
A total of four teams have been selected to take part in these post-race tyre tests:
Scuderia Ferrari – participating for one day of testing
Racing Bulls – also involved for one day
McLaren – present for one day of running
Alpine – the only team present for both days
During these two days of track activity, the testing programme will be focused on two separate areas. On the one hand, teams will assist Pirelli in defining and refining the structural construction of the 2026 tyres. On the other hand, the sessions will also include running experimental prototypes of new rubber compounds, which will require further track testing throughout the remainder of the 2025 season in order to be fully validated.
What’s next in the Pirelli testing programme?
In addition to the Budapest tests, the Pirelli tyre development calendar includes six more days of on-track activity, distributed across three key locations:
Two days at Monza – the high-speed Temple of Speed offers valuable data on tyre stability and wear
Two days at Mugello – a technically demanding circuit useful for evaluating lateral loads and thermal degradation
Two days at Mexico City (Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez) – featuring high-altitude conditions ideal for stress testing tyre behaviour under unique environmental factors
These additional test sessions will be crucial for finalising the specifications of the tyres that will be used on the new generation of Formula 1 cars designed according to the 2026 regulations. That season will not only introduce new aerodynamic concepts and chassis designs but will also usher in a new era of hybrid power units focused on improved efficiency and sustainability.
As the exclusive tyre partner of the Formula 1 World Championship, Pirelli continues to collaborate closely with the teams to ensure the highest standards of performance, safety, and adaptability. This work is especially vital during such a transformative period for the sport’s technical regulations, where even the smallest changes can have far-reaching implications for car behaviour, racing dynamics, and overall competitiveness.
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