The Pirelli 2026 Tire Test: A Day of Drama and Uncertainty in Hungary

Formula 1, a sport known for its precision, speed, and unpredictability, is rarely quiet—except, perhaps, when testing. This was supposed to be a calm, controlled session where tire manufacturers could gather essential data to develop future compounds. But when Pirelli took their new 2026 tire prototypes to the Hungarian Grand Prix circuit, what followed was anything but ordinary.

The Tire Test That Went Wrong

After the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, teams like Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine, and Racing Bulls (Red Bull) stuck around for one of Pirelli’s most critical tests yet: the 2026 tire test. These were not just any tires—they were designed to be slimmer, sharper, and supposedly smarter. With a narrower 25mm front compound and a 30mm narrower rear compound, these tires would still retain the same 18-inch diameter, but the focus was on how they would perform under the harsh conditions of a real track.

The test was a crucial part of Pirelli’s tire development for the 2026 season, where every bit of data mattered. What better place to push these tires to their limits than the Hungaroring? A notoriously demanding track, it is tight, twisty, and punishes tires like no other. Here, testing would be an extreme test of the new tire’s performance.

Day One: A Glimpse of Success

The first day of testing started promisingly. McLaren’s Lando Norris, fresh off a race win, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson, and Alpine’s Paul Aaron were all chosen to drive mule cars—older chassis modified to accommodate the prototype tires. The first part of the test involved short stints, allowing drivers to feel the grip levels of the new tires, followed by longer runs to assess tire behavior during extended punishment. The results were encouraging.

Paul Aaron set the fastest lap of the day with a time of 1 minute 18.789 seconds, followed closely by Norris at 1 minute 19.272 seconds and Lawson just behind. The drivers completed over 140 laps, with each racking up hours of testing and sending vast amounts of data back to Pirelli’s engineers. The tires seemed to be holding up well, and it appeared as though the test would go smoothly. For Pirelli, this was a good start—after all, their mission was to gather valuable data, not break speed records.

Day Two: Chaos Strikes

Day two, however, was a different story entirely. Tension in the garage was palpable as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Alpine’s Franco Colipinto were set to take over the testing duties. With the sun beating down and temperatures rising to 56°C on the track, the pressure was on. Ferrari was even rumored to be testing some minor upgrades alongside the tires. However, it all came crashing down—quite literally.

Just a few laps into his session, Franco Colipinto, an up-and-coming talent with Alpine, approached the notorious Turn 11 at the Hungaroring. Turn 11 is a high-speed, right-hand corner where drivers must remain perfect, and any small error can send them into the barriers. That’s exactly what happened. As Colipinto entered the corner, the rear end of the Alpine snapped, sending the car into the barriers with terrifying force.

The crash was immediately alarming, with pictures quickly circulating on social media showing the car in pieces, carbon fiber scattered across the track, and the team’s mechanics frozen in shock. The crash wasn’t related to a tire failure—Pirelli’s engineers were quick to clarify—but it was still devastating. Alpine’s test session was over in an instant. No backup mule car was available, and with the damage too severe to repair before the end of the session, the team was done for the day. Colipinto was assessed at the medical center and, thankfully, emerged unscathed. But the damage to the car meant that Alpine missed out on critical data collection.

Ferrari’s Calm Amidst the Storm

While Alpine was left reeling from the crash, Ferrari quietly continued with their program. Charles Leclerc completed a solid 144 laps, with a best lap time of 1 minute 19.407 seconds. It wasn’t the fastest lap, but that wasn’t the objective. The purpose of the test was not speed, but the collection of data—and Ferrari got all the information they needed.

Despite the setback with Alpine, Pirelli’s boss, Mario Isola, remained cautiously optimistic about the overall progress. “These have been two useful days for making progress with the development of our compounds for next season,” Isola commented. He expressed frustration over losing some mileage due to the Colipinto crash, but he quickly assured that the tires themselves were not at fault. This was a setback in terms of data collection, but not a catastrophic one. Still, the loss of mileage weighed heavily on the team. After all, every lap, every piece of data, was one step closer to ensuring the 2026 tire could withstand the demands of Formula 1 racing.

A Young Driver’s Setback

For Colipinto, the crash couldn’t have come at a worse time. He had been showing real promise, especially after outqualifying teammate Pierre Gasly at the previous race. He was starting to find his rhythm, and the test in Hungary was a chance to solidify his place in the F1 spotlight. Instead, a high-profile crash on the final day of testing before the summer break had left everyone questioning his future.

Although the crash was not Colipinto’s fault, the spotlight was back on him for all the wrong reasons. In a sport where reputation is everything, a high-profile accident on a test day could have lasting consequences, especially when teams are evaluating their driver lineup for the upcoming season. Whispers began circulating about whether Alpine would continue to back the young driver. After all, a setback like this, just before the summer break, could tip the scales in favor of a more experienced driver.

The Bigger Picture: The 2026 Season

While all eyes were on the drivers and the teams, the real focus of the test was the development of Pirelli’s new tire for the 2026 season. These tires are being designed to meet the new regulations set by the FIA, which will include changes to both the car and tire construction. Pirelli has already conducted several sessions and will continue to do so through the remainder of the year, including at Monza, Mugello, and Mexico City. Each track presents unique challenges, and Pirelli needs to understand how the new tires will perform under various conditions.

As Pirelli prepares for the 2026 season, every data point collected is crucial. These tires will soon be the standard for all teams on the grid, and every decision made in the coming months will have a lasting impact on the sport. The test at Hungary was not just about gathering data—it was about shaping the future of Formula 1. With the clock ticking, the stakes were enormous.

Looking Ahead

Despite the drama, the tire test in Hungary wasn’t a failure—it was a glimpse into the intense world of F1 testing, where even something as simple as a tire test can take unexpected turns. As Pirelli moves on to their next rounds of testing, the teams and drivers will have to put aside the disappointments and look toward the future.

For Colipinto, this incident may be a setback, but it’s far from the end. Formula 1 is a sport built on second chances, and there is always room for redemption. As for Pirelli, the road ahead remains full of challenges, but they are racing against the clock to ensure that the 2026 tires are ready for whatever the future throws at them.

In the world of Formula 1, even a tire test is never as simple as it seems.

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