McLaren and Alpine were in action at the former Spanish Grand Prix venue Jerez today as Pirelli continues its work on its new tyres for 2026.
Both teams ran ‘mule’ cars based on their 2023 chassis. Pierre Gasly drove for Alpine while McLaren gave another testing opportunity to IndyCar race-winner Pato O’Ward, who has made three appearances for them in Formula 1 practice sessions over the last three seasons.
The test followed on from last week’s running at the Circuit de Catalunya, which McLaren also participated in. At the 4.428 kilometre track, which is noted for its especially abrasive surface, F1’s official tyre supplier brought a selection of C2, C3 and C4 rubber built to the narrower specifications intended for use next year.
The two drivers completed 310 laps in total, split almost equally between them. Gasly, driving a modified A523 in a largely black livery with pink and white sponsor logos, did four more laps than O’Ward in his blank McLaren.
On a largely dry and sunny day, the Alpine driver logged the fastest time with a 1’18.092 to O’Ward’s 1’19.484. F1 last visited the circuit for a grand prix in 1997, when three drivers sensationally shared the fastest time in qualifying with matching laps of 1’21.072.
The test will continue tomorrow with Gasly’s new team mate Jack Doohan taking over in the Alpine. Mercedes will take over from McLaren with George Russell at the wheel.
Other teams who have already tested Pirelli’s prototype 2026 tyres include Aston Martin, who were first to run them last year, and Ferrari, who participated in last week’s test with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Next year’s tyres are 25mm narrower at the front than this year’s and 30mm narrower at the rear.
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Pictures: McLaren and Alpine test Pirelli tyres at Jerez
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