Izola: Interpreting the test results has become even more difficult

      Following the Formula 1 teams, Pirelli tire specialists summed up the results of the pre-season tests in Bahrain, also emphasizing that everyone had to work in unusual conditions at the Middle East circuit in Sakhir this year.

      Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport Director: "The three days of testing in Bahrain were quite unusual for us. Formula 1 has been choosing this circuit for several years to conduct the only tests before the start of the season, because the weather there is usually very favorable. But this year it was different, especially in the first two days.

      Temperatures turned out to be much lower than they had been at this time of year in the past, and strong winds were blowing – all this affected the work of the teams, and it became even more difficult to interpret the results than usual, because no one has data on the operation of equipment on this track in such conditions.

      If we talk about our side of the matter, we received the main information about the behavior of rubber compounds C3 and C2, and somewhat less about C1. But all this is quite expected, since these are the compounds that are usually used at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

      On the C4, some riders drove very few laps, while the tires of the C5 and C6 trains were not used at all. In addition, such tires were ordered for testing only by the Ferrari and Williams teams.

      As far as we can see, the C2 tyres performed as expected: we have received confirmation that they are more different from the C1 than last year, and therefore closer to the C3. It was difficult to warm up the rubber of the toughest composition at such temperatures, whereas C3 turned out to be the most versatile of the entire set of compounds.

      We hardly saw the teams working on the track in qualifying mode, but it allowed us to fully appreciate the difference in efficiency between the teams. As for the degradation of the rubber of the three more rigid compounds, it was clear that at such low temperatures it would be minimal. On the final day of the tests, it increased slightly as it got a little warmer, but the difference was not too significant.

      Now we will return to the Pirelli Motorsport base to analyze all the information collected and prepare for the Australian Grand Prix, the first stage of the season. We will bring the same rubber compounds to Melbourne as last year – C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium) and C5 (Soft) – and only there will we be able to get a real understanding of the work of softer tires."

      Although the official Formula 1 tests have been completed, Pirelli specialists will remain in Bahrain for a few more days to test 2026 prototype tires on March 2 and 3.

      They will have to work with Alpine and Williams: Renault's factory team will be represented by test drivers Paul Aron and Rio Hirakawa, while Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will continue to drive the Williams car at the Sakhira track.