Jun.29 (GMM) Aston Martin has received in a “lottery course of” to turn out to be the primary System 1 group to check Pirelli’s new and barely smaller tyres for the 2026 guidelines.
It was initially proposed that F1 ought to discover some additional weight financial savings by reverting to 16-inch tyres for the all-new engine and chassis guidelines, however in the long run solely a really slight discount in dimension was agreed.
“We’re pleased with the choice to remain on the 18-inch tyres,” Pirelli’s F1 boss Mario Isola mentioned in Austria.
“Sixteen was not the appropriate option to go, as a result of the masses which are predicted are nonetheless fairly excessive and automobiles can be quick. We can have the primary bodily prototypes on the finish of August, in all probability, and we’re planning to check on monitor in September.”
That first check will happen in Barcelona, between the Baku-Singapore double-header. Staff boss Mike Krack has revealed that Aston Martin will present the ‘mule’ check automobile, modified to simulate 2026 ranges of efficiency.
“There was a variety course of or a lottery course of as a result of there was quite a lot of groups who wished to be a part of this check program,” he mentioned on the Crimson Bull Ring.
“We had been drawn first, so we’re the primary to do that. We’re exchanging with Pirelli what this system can be and we’re making an attempt to duplicate the automobile that has been outlined from the FIA based on a technical directive,” Krack added.
