Mercedes edges McLaren in key Pirelli tire test

Mercedes, with junior driver Kimi Antonelli at the wheel, unofficially outpaced McLaren's Lando Norris during a two-day Pirelli tire test at the Nürburgring. The test, focused on evaluating 2027 dry-weather compounds, saw Antonelli set the fastest lap as both teams completed extensive mileage under Pirelli's secretive run plans.

Why it matters:

While these tests are not about outright performance, the data gathered is critical for shaping the tires that will define the 2027 F1 season. Antonelli's strong showing against a reigning world champion in Norris, albeit in a controlled test environment, provides another data point in his impressive pre-F1 apprenticeship and fuels speculation about his future. For Pirelli, feedback from top teams and drivers on next-generation prototypes is invaluable for balancing performance, durability, and the racing spectacle.

The details:

• The test was a dedicated Pirelli session, with the tire manufacturer "renting" the Mercedes and McLaren teams to run its confidential 2027 compound prototypes.
• Teams and drivers operate blind, following Pirelli's run plans and providing feedback without knowing the exact specifications of the tires they are testing.
• Day one featured Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and George Russell (Mercedes). Day two saw Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli take over driving duties.
• Antonelli completed 109 laps (561 km) with a best time of 1:32.990.
• Norris completed 108 laps (556 km) with a best time of 1:33.640.
• Running programs differed, with Antonelli testing up to the C4 compound while Norris sampled the softest C5 rubber.

What's next:

Pirelli's tire development cycle continues apace. The next phase is a wet-weather tire test scheduled for May at the Magny-Cours circuit in France. Another crucial dry-weather test is planned for after the Spanish Grand Prix in June at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as the manufacturer refines its 2027 product ahead of a major regulatory shift.