Pirelli defends 2026 F1 tyres amid Russell criticism

Pirelli has defended its new, smaller F1 tyres for 2026 and revealed it had given teams the option to stick with current tyre size, after George Russell criticised the new rubber.

The FIA had initially chosen 16-inch wheels for the new 2026 technical regulations, but manufacturer Pirelli preferred to keep the current 18-inch version and introduce smaller tyres as a compromise to reduce weight and drag.

Russell is one of the drivers who, driving mule cars to perform tests for Pirelli, got an early taste of the 2026 tyres, but he wasn't enthused when asked about his experience by Motorsport.com.

"That was a bit of a challenge compared to the wider tyres we have today", Russell said. "It was quite a step worse with the new tyres. That is naturally the case, because they're just much more narrow."

These comments have reached Pirelli, with the brand's motorsport chef Mario Isola telling Motorsport.com: "I have already spoken with George and I want to speak to him again.

"The point is that we are comparing a tyre that is mature, the 2025 tyre, with a tyre that is still under development. We haven't finalised the construction yet, we haven't finalised the compounds yet and we will have a different car in 2026 than the current mule cars. There are many elements that are not completely known.

"The tyre will be smaller, and being smaller, it means that it will be more prone to overheating for sure, and that it will have different characteristics. But that is exactly why we are working on the new compounds and on the new construction to have the best possible product for the drivers."

F1 teams made the decision themselves

Pirelli tyres (Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images)

Isola revealed Pirelli had recently given all F1 teams a choice: move forward with the narrower tires for 2026 or stick with this year's size.

"We spoke to all the teams about this and said: ‘You have to decide, but we need a final decision’. Either we stay on the 2025 sizes or we continue to develop the 2026 tyres. The teams have decided to continue developing the 2026 tyres."

According to Isola, that decision was made just ten days ago. It means that the tyres Russell criticized are the ones that teams have chosen themselves.

"The decision of the teams was clear, it was clear for several reasons," the Italian added. "First of all, they have already started developing the new cars, but above all they didn't think that the new tyre was bad. They understand that this isn't the final product and they found some positives."

Isola therefore feels that Russell's words don't fully align with what "a majority of the teams" have told him.

"It's important that we are aligned with the drivers as well and all work in the same direction. We want to give them a tyre with less overheating and characteristics that are in line with the targets, but the size must remain as it was decided by the teams. I fully understand the point of the drivers, and I'm happy to follow their comments and criticism, but we need to work in one direction."

Photos from the Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3

Ronald Vording

Formula 1

George Russell

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