The tests conducted in Mexico City, during the Formula 1 Grand Prix, allowed Pirelli to collect a wealth of data for the 2025 tires.
Pirelli has outlined the tires for the 2025 Formula 1 season. With just three races remaining in the current F1 season, the Italian tire supplier is already focused on the next season, as clearly demonstrated by the tests conducted in recent weeks.
The data collected during the second free practice sessions of the Mexican Grand Prix allowed Pirelli to outline the tires for the 2025 season. The new tire construction, as per the regulations, has already been homologated and is in production, while for the different compounds, Pirelli still has a few weeks to evaluate and study every single aspect that could meet the needs of the various teams.
Regarding the construction, homologation, and behavior of the different tires, these will be virtually identical to those of the current season. As for tire degradation, Pirelli will focus on reducing graining by utilizing these weeks for comparative work on the various compounds to be studied. In this regard, Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Motorsport Director, shared some insights.
Here’s what he said: “The agreement is that in Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday, during the post-season test, we will provide the 2025 tires to the drivers participating in the tire test, while the rookies will get the 2024 tires. But at least they will have the opportunity to test the new construction. The new construction doesn’t change the balance. We haven’t received any feedback on any differences or issues with the new construction. This is exactly what we also found during our tests throughout the season.”
Positive feedback from drivers and increased mechanical resistance were confirmed by Isola: “The positive aspect is that the new compounds showed greater mechanical resistance, which was our goal to reduce graining. The grip level of the new tires is similar to this season’s. We didn’t want to change the grip level because, if you change the grip level, you change the position of the compounds. The only compound we were aiming to provide more grip to was the C2, to bring the C2 closer to the C3, as it was a bit too close to the C1.
As for the C3, C4, and C5 compounds, the performance deltas were in line with the target, about half a second per lap. Of course, it depends on the circuit length, and so on. Also, the C6 should be half a second faster.”
The behavior of the C6 tire still needs to be evaluated, and in this sense, the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi will be crucial. Mario Isola also commented on this: “I’d like to wait for the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi. We still lack some data on the C6. It’s important to note that we need to homologate the compound if we want to use it, but we’re not obliged to. So, I prefer having the flexibility to have a C6 in the range, mainly for street circuits.”
Flexibility will, therefore, be a key factor: “Having the flexibility to have a C6 could be useful. And we’re not obliged to choose, say, three consecutive compounds. So, if we realize that, for example, the C6 might be good for a specific circuit but is too close to the C5, we can also decide to nominate the C3, C4, and C6 and skip one compound. This gives us a bit more flexibility,” Isola stated.