The weather conditions did not play in favor of the Italian manufacturer or the Mercedes team, invited to participate in these tests.
The weather was at the heart of all concerns from the first day. Ironically, although rain is a condition Pirelli looks for when testing its tyres, it has been too intense to allow for effective testing.
The Magny-Cours circuit, which hosted the French Grand Prix from 1992 to 2008, was saturated by heavy downpours, making the track impassable at times.
Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher took the wheel of the W15 on Tuesday. However, due to the intensity of the bad weather, he was only able to complete 29 laps in total. His best time, set at 1:39.721, hardly provided any significant data for Pirelli. This lack of running slowed tire development, pushing back initial objectives.
Milder weather, but still delicate
The next day, Wednesday, conditions improved slightly. This time, it was George Russell, starter at Mercedes, who took over to continue the tests. Although the rain was still there, it was more moderate, allowing the team to carry out a more complete program. Russell completed 86 laps in total, covering a distance of 379.7 kilometers, with a best time of 1:28.428.
Despite rather cool temperatures, engineers managed to recover valuable data on the behavior of extreme and intermediate rain tires. The work that couldn’t be done the day before was finally completed, although the session was far from ideal due to the unpredictable weather.
Next tests planned at Mugello
Pirelli tire development testing will continue next week, October 8-9, at the famous Mugello circuit in Italy. For this session, three teams will be involved: Red Bull Racing, Ferrari and McLaren.
Red Bull and Ferrari will focus on developing next season’s tires, while McLaren will work with Pirelli to test compounds planned for the 2026 season.
These tests are crucial for Pirelli, which must ensure that its tires meet the growing demands of teams and increasingly varied racing conditions. Tire development is a vital component of team performance, and these tests play a key role in preparing for the upcoming Formula 1 season.
