Pirelli Drops Wheel Covers for 2026 F1 Tires in Major Design Shift

Pirelli's 2026 Formula 1 tires will abandon the wheel covers that have defined F1's visual identity since 2020, returning to a more traditional exposed-wheel design reminiscent of pre-2021 seasons. The radical redesign introduces a full-circumference checkered flag pattern on sidewalls with compound-specific color accents, marking the most significant aesthetic change to F1 tires in over a decade.

Why it matters:

• The removal of wheel covers addresses persistent criticism about their visual impact and perceived aerodynamic complications
• Enhanced compound differentiation directly responds to teams' demands for clearer strategic options during races
• This represents Pirelli's most ambitious branding effort since becoming F1's sole tire supplier, strengthening visual identity both on track and in broadcast

The Details:

• Design Revolution: The new tires feature a continuous checkered flag motif wrapping around the entire sidewall, with each compound's signature color integrated into the pattern
• Color Consistency: Traditional compound identification remains unchanged—white for Hard, yellow for Medium, red for Soft, with green Intermediates and blue Full Wets
• Strategic Expansion: Pirelli confirms a "wider and more consistent gap between each compound" across the C1-C5 range to encourage diverse race strategies
• Brand Identity: The redesign maintains Pirelli's historic design language while creating a unique visual signature distinct from both road tires and other racing series
• Technical Continuity: Despite aesthetic changes, the underlying tire construction and performance characteristics remain focused on supporting the 2026 ground-effect cars

What's next:

This tire redesign arrives alongside F1's most significant technical regulations shift since 2014, with the new tires engineered specifically for next-generation chassis

• Teams will receive development mules later this year to begin integration work, though full testing won't commence until 2025
• The visual transformation will significantly impact broadcast graphics and fan viewing experience, particularly during close racing where tire identification matters
• Pirelli's move signals confidence in resolving previous durability concerns that plagued early ground-effect era tires, with the company emphasizing "consistent performance across varied track conditions" as a key development target