In a surprising turn of events, Formula 1’s fierce competitors Ferrari and McLaren have united for an innovative experiment in preparation for the major overhaul of F1’s regulations set to take place in 2026. This unexpected collaboration marks a significant moment in motorsport as the two teams, which have traditionally been rivals, now join forces to help develop the new tyres that will be used in the 2026 season. This partnership is not just a mere exchange of technical expertise but a crucial step forward in adapting to the changes F1 will face in just over a year’s time.
The 2026 F1 season promises to usher in one of the most significant regulatory changes in the sport’s history, as the FIA introduces new measures aimed at improving safety, sustainability, and competitiveness. These regulations are expected to bring new challenges and opportunities for the teams, potentially reshaping the championship order, and altering the balance of power in F1. The 2025 season will be the final one under the current regulations, with teams working tirelessly to prepare for what is likely to be a highly competitive and unpredictable 2026 season.
Last season, McLaren made an impressive comeback in F1, emerging as a genuine title contender with a string of strong performances from their star drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Their efforts culminated in the team winning their first constructors’ championship since 1998, a monumental achievement for the British team. McLaren’s rise has been one of the most remarkable stories in recent F1 history, and they now stand as one of the main threats to the dominance of teams like Red Bull and Ferrari.
Ferrari, on the other hand, has also made significant strides, narrowing the gap to McLaren in 2024. As preparations for the 2025 season heat up, the Italian team has bolstered its ranks with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who joins the Scuderia to help lead their charge against McLaren and Red Bull. Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari is a major development, as the team looks to return to the top step of the podium after years of struggling to match the pace of their rivals. To familiarize himself with Ferrari’s machinery, Hamilton has been spending time testing Ferrari’s past cars, including the SF-23 and SF-24, as part of the ongoing preparations for the upcoming season.
As part of the collaboration between Ferrari and McLaren, both teams took part in a crucial tyre test on February 5, 2025, at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. This testing session was designed to help Pirelli, the tyre supplier for F1, develop the new tyre compounds that will be used starting in 2026. The 2026 tyre regulations are expected to be very different from the current specifications, and Pirelli has been working closely with F1 teams to ensure the new tyres can meet the demands of the sport’s evolving landscape.
The testing session saw Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, along with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, all participate in the tyre development program. The three drivers were each assigned adapted cars specifically prepared to accommodate the new tyre prototypes. Over the course of the day, a total of 300 laps were completed, with Leclerc and Hamilton each recording 74 laps, while Piastri completed 152 laps.
While the lap times themselves may not hold much significance in terms of performance, as the cars were tailored to accommodate the new tyres rather than pushing for outright speed, they provide valuable data for Pirelli to evaluate the potential of the new compounds. Leclerc recorded a fastest lap time of 1:14.971, Hamilton posted a 1:16.759, and Piastri set a time of 1:15.815. These lap times offer a glimpse into the performance of the new tyres but are primarily used as part of the broader data-gathering effort.
Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Motorsport Director, expressed satisfaction with the results of the test, noting the importance of this session in comparing various tyre constructions and evaluating harder compound options. He emphasized that the Barcelona circuit is one of the most demanding tracks for tyres, as it puts significant energy and stress on the compounds. This makes it an ideal location to gather essential data for the development of the 2026 tyres.
Isola also highlighted the heavy testing schedule F1 teams are facing in the lead-up to the new regulations, noting that the four test sessions before the start of the 2025 season are putting a strain on the teams. Despite the challenges, he thanked the teams for their commitment to the development process, acknowledging the valuable contributions they have made to Pirelli’s tyre testing efforts.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Ferrari and McLaren in this tyre development experiment signifies an exciting and unanticipated alliance between two of F1’s biggest teams. With the 2026 regulatory changes looming on the horizon, this testing partnership will play a crucial role in shaping the future of F1 racing. As the season progresses, teams will continue to refine their strategies and adapt to the evolving landscape, with the 2026 season offering the potential for even greater competition and unpredictability.
