AUGUST 28, 2026

Pirelli completes 2,948km Mugello tyre test

McLaren, Red Bull and Audi completed two days of development running on prototype 2027 tyres at Mugello.

Pirelli has completed a two-day Mugello test involving McLaren, Red Bull and Audi as development of the 2027 tyre range continues.

Liam Lawson and Oscar Piastri drove on Wednesday. Lawson completed 116 laps for Red Bull while concentrating on the C2 prototype, with Piastri covering 93 laps while evaluating the C1, C2 and C3 options for McLaren.

Thursday's work was shared between Lando Norris, Ayumu Iwasa and Nico Hulkenberg.

Norris completed 115 laps in the McLaren and focused on the C2. Iwasa covered 117 laps for Red Bull, while Hulkenberg recorded 121 laps for Audi.

The five drivers completed 562 laps and approximately 2,948 kilometres between them. Track temperatures exceeded 50 degrees on both days, giving Pirelli useful data on the harder end of the proposed range.

Lap times from private tyre testing are of limited competitive value because the drivers use different compounds, fuel loads and programmes. Pirelli also controls the running rather than the teams.

The mileage is the significant number. In this case there was a great deal of it, which is generally preferable when attempting to design tyres before ten Formula 1 teams discover their individual reasons for disliking them.