The Mugello racetrack hosted the Pirelli F1 tests on 8 and 9 October welcoming three teams (Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren) with four active drivers (Leclerc, Sainz, Lawson and Norris). The two-day test program it was reduced to just one, due to the unforgiving weather conditions on the first day.
Pirelli chooses Mugello for the 2026 F1 tire tests
The Pirelli F1 tests held at the Mugello circuit were initially characterized by a heavy rain and complicated weather conditions to say the least. On the first day of testing, the adverse weather situation and the poor visibility around the Tuscan circuit prevented the air ambulance from being able to take off for a long time and, consequently, the cars were unable to run all day.
A wasted day of testing, therefore, for Red Bull Racing who fielded its reserve driver Liam Lawson (from the next US Grand Prix he will drive for the Visa CashApp RB team) with the task of work on finalizing the compounds for 2025. The McLaren F1 Team, with Lando Norris behind the wheel of a mule car, was to test for the first time the prototypes of the tires that will be used starting from 2026i.e. with a rim diameter (18”) unchanged compared to the current generation of single-seaters, while the width and external diameter are slightly smaller, both on the front and rear axle.
The second day of testing was more lenient. The weather conditions allowed Lawson and Norris to join on track Sainz’s Ferrari SF-24 in the morning and at that of Leclerc the afternoon. Red Bull and Ferrari have been busy developing the compounds for 2025, in particular the harder ones in the range planned for next season, while the McLaren has focused on the first tests of the 2026 tire prototypes.
The first hour of activity on the second day of testing took place on a still damp track. In fact, all three cars were fitted with intermediate tyres, still collecting useful information especially on a challenging track like the Tuscan one. From mid-morning it was possible to switch to slick tires to try to complete the entire planned program.
The next stages of the two development programs are scheduled for the second free practice session of the Mexican Grand Prix as regards the compounds for next year (a so-called “in-competition test” will take place, dedicated in particular to the softest compounds in the range), while for the 2026 prototypes the appointment is for November 13th and 14th next in Magny-Cours where the mule car prepared by Alpine will turn.
Pirelli F1 test times ranking at Mugello
At the end of the day i 390 laps completed. The most active on the track was Lando Norris (118 laps, best time 1’21”302) followed by Liam Lawson (116 laps, 1’23”219), Charles Leclerc (79 laps, 1’21”053 ) and Carlos Sainz (77 laps, 1’21”890). We leave you the times, for purely indicative purposes.
PILOT | TEAM | CAR | TIME | TURNS |
Charles Leclerc | Scuderia Ferrari | SF-24 | 1’21”053 | 79 |
Lando Norris | McLaren | MCL38 | 1’21”302 | 118 |
Carlos Sainz | Scuderia Ferrari | SF-24 | 1’21”890 | 77 |
Liam Lawson | Red Bull | RB-20 | 1’23”219 | 116 |
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