Pirelli Tyres.....**F1 set to abandon switch to 16-inch tyres for 2026**

[MonteCristo]

Bottom post of the previous page:

They could implant explosives, which generate blowouts on a random basis. Good for the show.

Open to fan vote, of course.

Top tier monthly subscribers get double the voting power. What a deal!

[DoubleFart]

I'd pay money to take Hamilton's tyres out as he sits at the lights.

[Michael Ferner]

Open to fan vote, of course.

Genius!

[MonteCristo]

I'd pay money to take Hamilton's tyres out as he sits at the lights.

Not sure if you'd be able to afford the $100k a month Team Principal tier on Liberty's Patreon account that unlocks the perk.

[Everso Biggyballies]

YAY for this....

FIA confirms the scrapping of the alternative tyre allocation

Thankfully the alternative tyre allocation bullshit has been canned.
For those not sure what it was it was a ploy to save the planet by reducing tyres allocations....The rule reduced how many tyre sets each driver had available during the weekend from 13 to 11, meaning 160 fewer tyres were transported to and from the event compared to a regular grand prix.

In a further change to qualifying, the ATA also mandated which tyre compounds could be used in each phase: hards in Q1, mediums in Q2 and softs in Q3.

It was nonsense and very much disadvantaged those lower teams who would use softs to get to Q2 or 3.

The good nws is that after less than a handful of race weekends it was tried at, it is now been abandoned and destined for the history books as a FAIL.

Good Riddance as far as I am concerned.

[Michael Ferner]

I thought it was a good idea. But maybe they have a better one, reduce the number of events overall?

[erwin greven]

I thought it was a good idea. But maybe they have a better one, reduce the number of events overall?

I think a LOT would think that this is a good idea.

[Everso Biggyballies]

F1 set to abandon possible switch to 16-inch tyres for 2026

Formula 1 is set to stick with an 18-inch tyre size when the new technical regulations come into force in 2026 after a possible switch to 16 inches was rejected.

That was one of the major areas of proposed weight reduction, and indeed part of the problem of the current weight was said to be the weight of the 18inch wheel / tyre combo.

It seems much of the resistance is from Pirelli themselves with them citing that marketing reasons and the trend for their core road car business is heading the the larger rim lower profile tyre avenue and the F1 wish to reduce the recently increased size just doesnt work for them in marketing terms. There are other reasons as well.......

The smaller rim size was under consideration largely as part of ongoing efforts by the FIA to reduce the overall weight of the 2026 cars.

However, the change was opposed by Pirelli both for reasons of practicality and because of the potential marketing impact.

F1 switched from 13 to 18 inches in 2022, mirroring the trend of the wider car industry, and a reduction is seen as a backwards step in terms of both the image of the sport and technology transfer.

A new size would also require major changes to Pirelli's production process, which would have to be undertaken in time to launch a full test programme with F1 mule cars in 2025.

It would also create an additional challenge for the teams on top of everything else that they will have to deal with heading into the new era.

The 2026 regulations were discussed by teams and the FIA at a recent meeting of the technical advisory committee.

While the outcome has not been announced officially, it was agreed to stick with 18-inch rims, but with a slightly different tyre size and shape.

"We are close to the final version of the sizes," Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola said

"Obviously when you design the wheel, you have to consider all the package, brakes, wheel, suspension, tyre, so I believe we are close to the final sizes.

"We have to change because the new car is different, and in any case, we have to design a smaller tyre.

"The discussion is between 16 and 18-inch tyres. And our preference is to stay on 18-inch tyres. And I believe that there are valid reasons to stay on 18-inch, with smaller tyres, but still the same rim.

"That's what we are discussing, just a bit smaller diameter, a slightly lower profile and slightly narrower tyre."

Isola downplayed the likely weight saving from a switch to 16 inches.

"There is an element that is weight," he said. "And clearly that affects all the package, and also the wheels. The difference between 16 and 18 and a narrow 18 is not huge. So the weight element is there.

"But it's not the only element. There is an element of performance. Because obviously if you were to go to 16-inch tyres, much smaller, the risk of overheating is much higher. A smaller diameter means that you disperse the heat in a different way.

"And so there are many elements that if we wanted to design a tyre that is in line with drivers' expectations. For performance, the 18-inch tyre is better than the 16."

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-se ... /10587733/

Hopefully the reduction of a lot of the hybrid paraphernalia will give a major weight reduction that wont be offset by a huge weight of batteries for the electric power element planned for 2026.

I does look that lightweight cars are still but a dream. I guess a reversal of the recent weight increases is at least a step in the right direction.