Mario Isola outlined all the data gathered by the groups and by Pirelli after the conclusion of the Abu Dhabi take a look at. The ultimate day of on-track working in 2025 has simply ended on the Yas Marina Circuit, closing the season and shifting Formulation 1’s focus fully to subsequent yr. With the 2026 rule revolution approaching, the groups used this post-season session to check Pirelli’s new tyre constructions and to gather priceless knowledge on specs that can seem on subsequent yr’s automobiles.
A number of groups, together with Mercedes and Ferrari, explored lively aerodynamics by working experimental units on the entrance wing to simulate next-generation options. Different groups that didn’t use these take a look at units had been required to run with a velocity limiter set at 300 km/h. This allowed them to assemble extra consultant details about the behaviour of their 2026 mule automobiles.
The primary race drivers took half utilizing mule automobiles constructed to breed the anticipated traits of the 2026 equipment that can debut throughout pre-season testing in Barcelona on the finish of January. Rookies adopted a unique program: the younger drivers accomplished their working within the 2025 automobiles. Every group needed to area a line-up that included no less than one rookie and no less than one full-time driver within the mule automobile to make sure constant knowledge assortment.
The take a look at overview
The mule automobiles ran with one set of the C2 compound and three units every of the C3, C4, and C5 tyres. The C1 compound was excluded as a result of it supplies no helpful efficiency at this circuit, whereas the C6 compound will now not be introduced subsequent season. Groups weren’t given any obligatory run plan: every was free to handle its personal program with out limitations.
By way of lap instances—whereas they maintain restricted significance on this context—Kimi Antonelli was the quickest driver of the day and in addition accomplished the best mileage with 157 laps. Altogether, the automobiles gathered 2,648 laps, akin to 13,984 kilometres. This supplied a considerable dataset on the behaviour of the 2026 tyres, which differ considerably from the present variations in construction and efficiency traits.
Mario Isola on the work accomplished
Pirelli’s Motorsport Director, Mario Isola, summarised the aim of the Abu Dhabi take a look at, saying: “The take a look at day was a wonderful alternative for all of the groups to attempt the ultimate 2026 tyres, and the compounds shall be formally confirmed subsequent Monday.”
Mario Isola emphasised that this session represented the conclusion of a broader growth course of: “Throughout the growth exams organised by Pirelli all through the season, the groups individually examined a number of prototype variations at completely different phases of growth, from construction-only variants to a number of compound choices. That is the primary time they’ve had all the tyre vary out there on monitor, giving them the chance to know the traits of the brand new tyres in a a lot deeper method.”
The Italian producer gathered a number of necessary insights forward of subsequent season: “For our engineers, the contribution of this session is key to confirming the efficiency variations between the compounds and their degradation ranges, which have been the primary focus of our work this yr. The evaluation of the tyres, which now depart a smaller footprint on the asphalt, additionally allowed us to evaluate their tendency to endure from graining and overheating. These are two results that danger changing into extra pronounced because of the diminished contact patch.”
With the complete tyre vary examined below the identical circumstances, Pirelli and the groups now possess a a lot clearer understanding of how the 2026 tyres behave, how they generate warmth, and the way they work together with the revised aerodynamic ideas. This info shall be essential as groups start remaining preparations for the beginning of a radically completely different Formulation 1 period.
Dec 10, 2025
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