Pirelli Concludes Mexico City Test Ahead of 2026 Tyre Homologation
Pirelli has completed its final development session for the 2026 Formula 1 tyre range at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, marking the end of a long testing campaign ahead of the homologation process. pitpass.com
During the test, tyres from soft to medium compounds (C3–C6) were evaluated by drivers, including Gabriel Bortoleto and Valtteri Bottas. Bortoleto completed 136 laps and covered 585 km on day one, reaching a fastest lap of 1:19.089 under track temperatures that peaked at 51 °C.
The tests focused on two critical areas: determining performance gaps between compound options (which affect lap times) and assessing degradation over longer runs to simulate race-stint conditions. Engineers used data to refine compounds and carcass behaviour to match the demands of next-generation F1 cars. press.pirelli.com
With the Mexico City session concluded, Pirelli enters the homologation phase ahead of the 2026 season. The unified test marks the closing of a broader validation programme that spanned multiple circuits and conditions, aimed at ensuring the 2026 tyres meet expected performance, safety and durability standards.
Editor’s View
The focus keyphrase “2026 F1 tyre development test” captures the significance of Pirelli’s final test in Mexico City. The move underscores how the tyre industry is not only about road vehicles but also about high-performance and motorsport segments where compound characteristics, heat management, and degradation curves are pushed to the limit. For the broader tyre ecosystem, including original equipment and aftermarket suppliers in India, such advanced R&D trickles down into technologies and materials. Tyre makers must watch this development closely, because innovations tested at the highest level often filter into consumer and specialty tyres sooner than we expect.
