Pirelli C6 Tire Criticism from Verstappen

Tires are critical in Formula 1, where speeds soar and the right compound can make or break a race. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen, known for his candid feedback, recently called out Pirelli’s C6 tire, prompting the tire manufacturer to rethink its strategy for 2026.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

After dominating the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Verstappen criticized the C6 tire, labeling it “inferior” and slower from the start. “That soft tire is slower from the start of the lap,” he said post-race. “I’d like to talk to Pirelli sometime, so they can leave that one at home.” The Dutchman, who has secured two wins and two podiums in his last four races, argued the C6 failed to deliver as expected in Baku, despite Pirelli’s optimism for the soft compound in those conditions.

Pirelli had initially planned to use the C6 for races in Singapore and Las Vegas but scrapped those plans in favor of harder compounds. Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Racing Director, acknowledged Verstappen’s concerns. “I’ve seen the comments,” Isola said. “I haven’t spoken to Max yet, but I will. There’s no plan to bring the C6 to any other race this year.” He explained that Singapore’s high-energy demands and Las Vegas’s cooler temperatures risked tire graining, making the C6 unsuitable.

Isola admitted the C6 underperformed in its debut year, aligning with Verstappen’s critique. As a result, Pirelli is reevaluating its tire lineup for 2026, signaling a significant shift to address performance concerns and driver feedback.