Pirelli Scraps C6 Tyre for 2026 After F1 Driver Criticism
Pirelli has announced the abandonment of its C6 tire compound for the 2026 F1 season due to significant criticism from drivers. The softest dry tire, introduced this season, failed to provide a meaningful performance difference from the C5 compound, prompting its removal to enhance strategic variance. The move signals a commitment to developing more distinct tire compounds for the sport's future.
Pirelli has decided to abandon its C6 tire for the 2026 Formula 1 season, a move prompted by strong criticism from drivers regarding its performance and lack of differentiation from other compounds. The tire, introduced this season as the softest dry compound, debuted at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and saw use at street circuits like Monaco and Azerbaijan.
Why it matters:
Pirelli's decision highlights the ongoing effort to optimize F1's tire compounds to enhance strategic variety and improve racing. Drivers' feedback is crucial in this process, ensuring that the tires provide distinct performance characteristics that allow for diverse race strategies rather than limiting options due to negligible performance deltas. The goal is to move towards a more engaging and unpredictable sport.
The details:
- The C6 compound was introduced this season as the softest dry tire, intended for circuits requiring maximum grip.
- It made its debut at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and was subsequently used at other street circuits such as Monaco and Azerbaijan.
- F1 drivers were vocal in their criticism, pointing out that the performance delta between the C6 and the slightly harder C5 compound was minimal.
- Many drivers preferred the C5, finding it offered similar performance with potentially better durability, thus rendering the C6 largely redundant in terms of strategic options.
- Pirelli's internal analysis confirmed these observations, showing that the C6 did not provide sufficient pace difference to the C5, failing to meet the objective of creating greater strategic variance.
- As a result, the C6 compound has been officially scrapped from the 2026 tire lineup.
What's next:
For the 2026 technical regulations, Formula 1 will revert to five dry-weather compounds. Pirelli will finalize these new compounds based on extensive simulation data pertaining to the next generation of F1 cars. With on-track testing of these new machines not yet possible, simulations will be critical in designing tires that align with the new car philosophies and power units, ensuring they deliver the desired performance and strategic impact for the future of the sport.