McLaren completed more than 1,000 kilometres during an intensive two-day Pirelli 2027 tyre test at Mugello, where Lando Norris led Thursday’s times before Ferrari and Racing Bulls take over at Imola on 15 and 16 September. The programme concentrated on developing the future C1, C2 and C3 compounds as Pirelli continued gathering data for its 2027 Formula 1 tyre range.
Following Wednesday’s opening Mugello test with Oscar Piastri and Liam Lawson, Lando Norris drove for McLaren on Thursday alongside Ayumu Iwasa for Red Bull and Nico Hülkenberg for Audi. The second day completed another significant stage in Pirelli’s wider 2027 tyre development programme.
Conditions enabled the Italian manufacturer to collect a substantial amount of information, with the track temperature reaching 52°C. The teams covered a combined 2,948 kilometres across the two days, alternating between different tyre prototypes and load configurations.
Pirelli 2027 tyre test focuses on C1, C2 and C3 compounds
The three drivers involved on the second day followed different programmes. Ayumu Iwasa was the only driver to use all three compounds under development. The Japanese driver focused mainly on the C1 and C2 before completing several runs on the C3 during the afternoon.
Lando Norris worked exclusively with the C2. After comparing several prototypes during the morning, the British driver concentrated on the solutions considered most promising in the afternoon. Nico Hülkenberg divided the Audi programme between the C2 and C3 compounds.
The mileage was considerable. Nico Hülkenberg completed 121 laps and 635 kilometres, setting a best time of 1:24.012. Ayumu Iwasa covered 117 laps and 614 kilometres, recording a 1:23.414, while Lando Norris completed 115 laps and 603 kilometres and set Thursday’s fastest time with a 1:21.899.
Those lap times naturally carry no comparative value because Pirelli assigned the drivers different programmes, compounds and load configurations.
McLaren exceeds 1,000 kilometres during Mugello tyre test
This was McLaren’s second Pirelli test of this kind in 2026 following its April running at the Nürburgring. It formed part of the extensive development work for Pirelli’s 2027 tyre range, which has involved several teams and different test conditions.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri returned to the MCL40 used in the Formula 1 World Championship. They followed a programme defined entirely by Pirelli and based on comparisons between the 2027 prototypes and the 2026 slick tyres used as a reference.
McLaren alternated between low-fuel and high-fuel running while also completing sequences of consecutive flying laps. An electrical problem with the MCL40 delayed Oscar Piastri’s opening morning, but the programme resumed normally during the afternoon. The Australian tested three different 2027 compounds and completed three high-fuel long runs.
Oscar Piastri welcomes extensive Pirelli data collection
“It was positive to complete more laps in the MCL40. We got through a lot of work, which means Pirelli collected plenty of data and feedback to work with,” Oscar Piastri explained.
Oscar Piastri also highlighted the value of having several teams on track simultaneously. “It is useful because it allows Pirelli to gather even more information. We all follow the programmes and set-ups we are given, based on what they want to analyse.”
Lando Norris explains why every lap remains valuable
The test also carried personal value for Lando Norris. The British driver had not driven at Mugello since the Formula 1 Grand Prix held there in 2020 and used Thursday’s session to accumulate more mileage in the MCL40, even though Pirelli’s development priorities dictated the programme.
“It was a productive two days with Pirelli. As at the Nürburgring test, the main objective was to provide useful feedback and contribute to the development of the tyres we will use in the future,” Lando Norris explained, adding that the involvement of several teams allowed all of them to participate in the development process.
The McLaren driver also emphasised another important aspect of the test: every kilometre completed in a Formula 1 car remains useful. “Every time you are in the car is valuable, even when you are following a programme set by Pirelli, because it always helps improve your understanding of the car.”
The opportunity was particularly valuable at a stage of the season when the schedule is about to become intense again. Lando Norris explained that, with McLaren’s Mugello work complete, the team’s attention had already shifted towards preparing for the next two race weekends on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
Ferrari next at Imola for Pirelli 2027 tyre testing
Pirelli’s 2027 tyre development programme will continue beyond Mugello. The Italian manufacturer will return to the track at Imola on 15 and 16 September for another session dedicated to dry-weather compounds.
Ferrari and Racing Bulls will provide their cars for the Imola running. The test will represent another stage in Pirelli’s long development process as it collects information from different Formula 1 cars before defining the characteristics of the tyre range that will be used in the 2027 World Championship.
For Ferrari, the Imola session will also provide another opportunity to contribute directly to tyre development while continuing the wider technical work surrounding its Formula 1 programme.
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