The 2-day Pirelli check for the event of 2026 tires has concluded in Barcelona. The session featured the 2023 McLaren and the 2024 Ferrari in a particular configuration to copy the anticipated aerodynamic load below the upcoming rules, which shall be 15% decrease than the present one. Evaluating the lap occasions with these from the latest Spanish Grand Prix qualifying might sound logical, however paradoxically, the over 3-second deficit truly strengthens expectations that efficiency shall be very shut between the 2 generations of automobiles. Right here’s why.
The Comparability
The quickest lap of the session was set by Charles Leclerc, whose 1’14’’971 was 3.2 seconds slower than his finest time within the final Spanish Grand Prix qualifying, regardless of utilizing the identical automobile however with wider tires and considerably greater aerodynamic load. Nevertheless, a fairer comparability for 2026 must be with the primary yr of ground-effect rules, 2022. A direct comparability is not possible, as on the time, Barcelona nonetheless used the previous circuit structure, together with the ultimate chicane.
Over the previous three years, lap occasions have typically improved by 1.5 seconds, with some variations relying on the observe, making it doable to approximate one of the best lap from the most recent Pirelli check as being 1.5 to 2 seconds slower than 2022 efficiency. Nevertheless, this stays a tough estimate that wants correct context, contemplating variations in environmental situations and, most significantly, testing packages. Moreover, as is customary in Barcelona, Pirelli examined the toughest compounds of the long run 2026 vary—C1, C2, and C3—however it’s unclear whether or not Charles Leclerc’s lap was set on the softest out there compound, though that’s doubtless.
The Non-Simulatable Components
Efficiency variations between present and future automobiles won’t be uniform throughout all tracks. Excessive-downforce circuits like Barcelona will penalize the lower-downforce 2026 automobiles probably the most, whereas on different tracks, they are going to be nearer to present lap occasions. Decreasing aerodynamic load by 15% shouldn’t be sufficient to completely replicate the traits of the next-generation F1 automobiles, which shall be considerably sooner on the straights, even with out contemplating the twin energetic aerodynamics on the entrance and rear. The general width will lower from 2 to 1.9 meters, enhancing aerodynamic effectivity, however extra importantly, ground-effect efficiency shall be diminished. At the moment, the ground generates extreme downforce on the straights, resulting in pointless drag. “At the moment, aerodynamic load comes primarily from the ground. The sooner you go, the extra downforce you generate, to the purpose the place it paradoxically turns into ineffective on the straights,” defined Mario Isola.
On prime of this, the minimal weight may also be diminished, with the next-generation automobiles anticipated to be about 30 kg lighter. The narrower tires used within the newest Pirelli check saved 4-5 kg, together with a number of kilograms faraway from different elements of the automobile. Nevertheless, it’s unknown how a lot Ferrari and McLaren have been in a position to lighten their automobiles, given the present challenges in even reaching the 798 kg minimal weight. This implies further lap time variations in an estimated comparability with precise 2026 automobiles.
Total, the state of affairs doesn’t seem alarming. Quite the opposite, when correctly contextualized, the Barcelona lap occasions lend credibility to Nikolas Tombazis’ assertion from final November: “Concerning lap occasions, we count on them to be very near these of this era of automobiles.” Nevertheless, the efficiency of the brand new energy items stays the most important unknown within the equation of the brand new rules.
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