Lando Norris tests Pirelli tyres for 2026 in challenging conditions at Mugello – Formula 1 continues to look ahead, with tyre testing for future seasons already well underway. The latest test at the Mugello circuit in Italy saw teams including McLaren and Red Bull join forces with Pirelli to test the tyres that will debut in the 2026 season.
However, the weather played a significant role in hindering much of the progress made on the first day. Despite the challenges, Lando Norris and other drivers pressed on, providing valuable insight into the future of F1 tyres.
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Rain dampens first day of testing
The testing programme, which took place in early October 2024, was severely disrupted by adverse weather conditions. Pirelli, the Official Tyre Supplier to Formula One, described the weather conditions at Mugello as a continuation of the unfortunate run of weather for the test programme in the last quarter of the year.
This followed another rain-dominated test at Magny-Cours earlier in the week, where conditions similarly affected their plans.
On the first day of testing, 8th October, the rain proved so disruptive that most of the sessions were rendered almost useless. The McLaren and Red Bull teams, integral parts of this tyre test, were “virtually unable to drive”, according to Pirelli. The situation was exacerbated by poor visibility, which made it impossible for the safety helicopter to take off, a key factor in ensuring the safety of the drivers during the tests.
With these restrictions in place, the Formula One cars were largely confined to the pits on day one, with minimal action on track. Red Bull and McLaren were forced to put their plans on hold in the hope of better conditions on the second day of testing.
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Test objectives: Pirelli’s focus on 2025 and 2026 tyres
Pirelli’s tyre development efforts at Mugello have been focused on two key timelines: 2025 and 2026. Red Bull, represented by test driver Liam Lawson, was tasked with helping Pirelli fine-tune the tyres for the 2025 season. Lawson, a talented driver who is expected to become a regular for the Racing Bulls from Austin, was responsible for gathering vital data on the 2025 tyre prototypes.
Meanwhile, McLaren, with their star driver Lando Norris, concentrated on testing the 2026 tyre prototypes. Norris, driving a modified McLaren test car, worked to provide Pirelli with data on how the new tyres would perform on the demanding Mugello circuit.
However, despite their best efforts, the first day of testing did not produce the desired results and Pirelli did not release any official lap times from the sessions.
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Improved conditions on day two: key data collected
Fortunately, the weather improved on the second day of testing on 9th October and the teams were able to make up for lost time.
The rain stopped and while the track was still wet in the early morning, it quickly began to dry out, allowing for more productive sessions. Initially, the teams had to run intermediate tyres on their cars, but Pirelli saw this as a silver lining, as it gave them the opportunity to gather useful data on how the tyres performed in these tricky conditions. Known for its challenging layout, Mugello provided the perfect setting for such testing.
As the track dried out, the teams switched to slick tyres with no tread, allowing them to carry out the crucial dry weather tests. McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari, who joined the test on the second day, were able to put in significant mileage, completing a total of 390 laps. Pirelli’s test director noted that the data gathered on the day would be invaluable in shaping the future of F1 tyre performance.
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Standout performances: Norris and Leclerc shine
Among the drivers, Lando Norris had a particularly strong performance on day two. Norris, driving the McLaren fitted with the 2026 tyre prototypes, completed 118 laps and set a personal best lap time of 1:21.302. However, due to the nature of the test programme, his lap times were not directly comparable to those of the other teams, as McLaren were testing under different parameters.
Red Bull’s Liam Lawson, focusing on the 2025 tyres, also had a productive session. He completed 116 laps, although his time of 1:23.210 placed him near the bottom of the unofficial standings for the day. Nevertheless, Lawson’s data collection was crucial to Pirelli’s ongoing work on next season’s tyre compounds.
Ferrari, who only joined the test on the second day, also put in a solid performance. Carlos Sainz completed 77 laps with a best time of 1:21.890, while his team-mate Charles Leclerc was the fastest driver of the day. Leclerc, who drove in the afternoon session, completed 79 laps and clocked a best time of 1:21.053 minutes to take the lead in raw lap time from Norris.
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The road ahead: More testing to come
As the 2024 season draws to a close, Pirelli is already planning its next steps in tyre testing. Formula 1 has scheduled an extended free practice session for the Mexican Grand Prix on 25 October, where all teams will have the opportunity to test the 2025 tyre compounds.
Looking ahead to the 2026 tyre development programme, Pirelli has scheduled further testing in November, once again at the Magny-Cours circuit. This time Alpine will be in charge of the tests, using a modified car to test the latest prototypes. The exact rider line-up for this test has yet to be confirmed.
While the wet conditions at Mugello threatened to derail the test programme, the teams and drivers involved were able to make the most of the second day, providing Pirelli with vital data on the 2025 and 2026 tyre compounds. Lando Norris’ impressive 118-lap stint, along with notable performances from Ferrari’s Leclerc and Sainz, ensured that the test provided valuable insights for the future of Formula One.
With further testing planned, Pirelli remains focused on perfecting its tyres for the coming seasons, ensuring they meet the sport’s rigorous demands. As development continues, these early tests will play a key role in shaping the future of Formula 1 tyre technology, giving teams and drivers the performance edge they seek on race day.
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