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Alpine, Audi and Aston Martin test new Pirelli tires
While part of the paddock is enjoying a short break, Alpine, Audi and Aston Martin have taken the opportunity to test new tire constructions and compounds with Pirelli.
By Patrick Koster - 2026-07-29T12:01:15.000Z - 3 min read
While many Formula 1 teams use the silence on the circuits for a well-deserved rest, three prominent figures in the paddock leave no stone unturned. Alpine, the Audi team and Aston Martin have mobilized their technical teams and drivers to work intensively on the development of future Pirelli tires. This underlines the ruthless nature of the sport, where every day is used to create an advantage over the competition.
After all, tires are one of the most crucial parts of a Formula 1 car. They are the only link with the asphalt and largely determine performance, durability and strategy during a race weekend. The constant evolution of cars requires constant adjustment of the tires, both in composition and construction, to guarantee safety and spectacle under all conditions.
Pirelli, as Formula 1's sole tire supplier, bears heavy responsibility for this ongoing development. New compounds and constructions are extensively tested before they are ultimately used in the Grands Prix. These tests are essential to validate whether the theoretical improvements actually work in practice and can withstand the extreme forces in sport.
During such test days, everything revolves around collecting data. Drivers complete countless laps on different specifications, while engineers meticulously analyze wear, temperature, grip and balance. The feedback from the drivers is essential; their subjective experiences, combined with objective data, form the basis for further refinement of the tapes.
Participating teams such as Alpine, Audi and Aston Martin see the importance of this commitment. It not only offers them the opportunity to get to know the tires of tomorrow, but also to influence the direction of development. The data collected during these sessions can also be invaluable for fine-tuning their own chassis and aerodynamics, specifically tailored to the new tire characteristics.
The fact that these teams don't slow down while others might do so speaks volumes about their ambition. It illustrates the constant drive for perfection and the willingness to put in extra effort in the hope of competitive advantage. Especially for the Audi team, which is working hard on their long-term strategy, early involvement in tire development is a smart move.
Every test day, every kilometer driven, contributes to the knowledge base that can determine future successes. The results of these sessions will therefore be carefully evaluated and used to further optimize the next generation of Formula 1 tires, in view of future regulations and the ever-increasing performance of the cars.
Ultimately, it is this ceaseless cycle of testing, analyzing and improving that makes Formula 1 so dynamic. It is a battle that is not just fought on Sundays, but every day in factories and on test tracks worldwide.