Formula 1 News: Pirelli 2025 Formula 1 Season in Review

Throughout the season that has just finished, Pirelli’s Formula 1 tires covered enough kilometers to circle the globe eight and a half times. From the first free practice session in Melbourne to the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi, the tires produced by the Milan-based company traveled a total distance of 341,099 kilometers.

This figure reflects one of the most demanding seasons in the history of the championship, after the calendar expanded to 24 races last year. On these 24 circuits, spread out over five continents, Pirelli had to deliver performance, reliability and adaptability in conditions ranging from the extreme heat of the Arabian desert to the biting cold of Nevada.

The 2025 slick tire range, made up of six compounds, accounted for 96% of the total mileage. The two most widely used compounds, confirming their versatility and strategic importance, were the C3 (93,493 kilometers) and C4 (91,595 kilometers). These were followed by the C5 (66,255 kilometers), C2 (35,012 kilometers), C6 (22,419 kilometers) and C1 (17,368 kilometers). Wet weather tires covered the remaining 4%: 12,893 kilometers on intermediates and 2,064 kilometers on full wets.

In total, the tires completed 67,094 laps – with a similar split between slicks and wets: 64,519 laps on slicks and 2,578 on wets (about 4%). Across all the races, 720 pit stops were made. The record was the Spanish Grand Prix, with 53 stops in Barcelona. Miami had the fewest pit stops, with only 18.

The longest stint of the year came from Haas driver Esteban Ocon, who covered 303 kilometers on a single set of C3 tires in Jeddah, equating to 49 laps. The Frenchman also stood out in Baku, covering 294 kilometers on a set of C4 to confirm his tire management skills.

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly recorded the longest run on the C2, completing 251 kilometers in Shanghai, while Aston  Martin’s Lance Stroll covered 222 kilometers on the C5 in Baku. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg each drove 194 kilometers on a set of intermediates at Silverstone. The longest continuous use of full wets was 61 kilometers during the Las Vegas weekend: 10 laps each for the two Aston Martin drivers as well as for Hülkenberg.

The number of tire sets supplied by Pirelli over the course of the season highlights the logistical complexity of motorsport’s pinnacle. In 2025, teams had access to 6,120 sets of slicks in total, comprising 1,800 sets of C5, 1,580 sets of C4, 1,400 sets of C3 and around 1,900 wet weather tires. The number of tires allocated to each car, which varies depending on the weekend format, is clearly defined by the technical regulations.

As always, temperatures also influenced tire behavior. The highest track temperature recorded during a session was 58.2 degrees centigrade at Jeddah during FP2, while the highest air temperature was 39.1 degrees centigrade in Bahrain during FP1. The coldest conditions were in Las Vegas, with 12 degrees centigrade on track and 11.8 degrees centigrade ambient during qualifying. During the actual races, peak track temperature was 55.2 degrees centigrade at Spielberg, while the highest air temperature was 34.4 degrees centigrade in Texas. The lowest temperatures were 15 degrees centigrade on track in Las Vegas and 14.3 degrees centigrade ambient in Melbourne.

The Formula 1 P Zero covers were not the only Pirelli tires to take to the track. The Pirelli Hot Laps program, featuring Pirelli-equipped supercars on the world’s grand prix circuits, was held this year at seven events. The lucky passengers completed 2,528 laps across 32 sessions, using 12 car models from seven different manufacturers.

At the wheel were 69 drivers, ranging from current stars such as Fernando Alonso, Max Verstappen, George Russell, Oscar Piastri, Kimi Antonelli, and Oliver Bearman, to emerging young talents like Paul Aron, Arthur Leclerc, Chloe Chambers, and Jak Crawford. Former world champions and race winners also took part—including Mika Häkkinen, Jenson Button, Ralf Schumacher, and Pedro de la Rosa—alongside endurance and GT specialists, all underscoring the breadth and prestige of the program.

Another significant figure came from an off-track initiative. A show tire, donated by Pirelli and signed by a selection of Formula 1 drivers, was auctioned by RM Sotheby’s during the final race weekend as part of Abu Dhabi Collector’s Week, fetching $31,200 USD. The entire proceeds were donated to the Make-A-Wish^®  UAE foundation, which helps make the dreams of children suffering from serious illnesses come true.

From extreme temperatures and strategic complexity to logistical challenges and the Hot Laps program, the 2025 season once again highlighted Pirelli’s crucial role as Formula 1’s global partner.