Formula 1 News: The range of compounds for the 2026 season has been set
Pirelli has set the range of compounds for the 2026 Formula 1 season. After completing an analysis following the last test session in Mexico City, the Italian company, with the approval of the FIA, has established which compounds will be homologated on 15 December, as stipulated in the technical regulations.
As for tire construction, that was finalized on 1st September, after a careful evaluation of the balance across the axles, taking into account the active aerodynamics that will be introduced next year.
Tyre development was carried out on the basis of forecast data as supplied by the teams, using simulations referring to loads and speeds predicted for the end of the 2026 season, while pursuing objectives similar to those of this year.
The models were validated based on the results of development track testing with mule cars modified to reproduce the characteristics of the next generation of cars.
That was a complicating factor during testing, stemming from the fact that tyres could not be tested on actual 2026 cars, which will run slightly narrower 18 inch tyres than the current ones.
The range of dry tires will consist of five compounds from the hardest C1 to the softest C5, all with similar positioning to the current one and an approach to thermal degradation aimed at allowing for a variety of choices across the many different characteristics to be found at the circuits on the world championship calendar.
Particular attention has been paid to performance differences between the compounds in terms of lap time, so as to ensure a wide and consistent delta between them, to deliver more strategy options.
The decision not to validate the sixth and softest compound, the C6, which is in the range for the current season, was taken precisely because it was impossible to meet this delta requirement. The most recent tests showed that the time gap between the C5 and C6 prototypes was too small compared to the others, without offering any significant performance advantage.
Before final homologation, the range will be used in a one-day group test on 9 December in Abu Dhabi. The teams will be supplied with sets of compounds from C2 to C5, as well as intermediate tires in the event of wet conditions. The C1 and the Full Wets, although included in the 2026 range, will not be supplied at Yas Marina.
The tests will be carried out by current race drivers in a mule car, while on the same day young drivers will also take to the track at the wheel of the 2025 cars, fitted with the current tires.