Carlos Sainz has criticised the performance of Pirelli’s intermediate and full wet Formula 1 tyres following the rain-hit 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix, arguing that neither compound currently meets the standards expected by drivers. The Williams driver highlighted serious problems with aquaplaning, rear grip and the narrow operating window of the tyres, calling for further development in collaboration with Pirelli.
Speaking after a particularly challenging weekend at Interlagos, Carlos Sainz expressed concerns shared by other drivers about the behaviour of the wet-weather compounds. As a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), the Spaniard raised questions about the effectiveness of both tyre specifications in changing conditions, particularly when drivers are attempting to maintain grip as the track evolves.
Brazilian Grand Prix rain exposes Pirelli wet tyre problems
Heavy rain in São Paulo on Saturday created extremely difficult conditions for qualifying, initially forcing drivers to use Pirelli’s full wet tyres. As the weather gradually improved and the circuit began to dry, competitors were able to switch to the intermediate compound, which was better suited to the changing track conditions.
Further rainfall before the start of Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix meant that the intermediate tyres were once again the preferred choice. Drivers used them during the opening phase of the race, while the return of rain towards the closing stages required another switch to the same compound.
The constantly changing weather made tyre selection and management particularly demanding. However, according to Carlos Sainz, the problems experienced by the drivers were not solely the result of the difficult conditions. The characteristics of Pirelli’s two wet-weather tyre compounds also contributed to the challenges they faced.
Concerns about tyre performance extended beyond Williams, with wet-weather safety and tyre performance emerging as major talking points during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend.
Carlos Sainz says Pirelli intermediate and full wet tyres are not good enough
Carlos Sainz was particularly critical of the limited operating window of the intermediate compound and the aquaplaning experienced on full wet tyres. The Williams driver believes both specifications require additional development to deliver the level of performance needed in wet Formula 1 conditions.
“They’re not up to standard,” Carlos Sainz commented. “I don’t think the level of the wet and intermediate tyres is satisfactory. We need to work together with Pirelli to find a better solution, because in mixed conditions the intermediate tyre continues to show significant weakness at the rear.”
The Spaniard identified another frustrating characteristic of the intermediate compound: the difficulty of achieving a suitable balance between front and rear tyre performance as temperatures change.
“By the time the rear comes up to temperature, the front is already compromised.”
This behaviour makes it particularly difficult for drivers to achieve consistent grip throughout a stint. The narrow operating window can leave them struggling to find a satisfactory balance between the front and rear axles, especially when track conditions are constantly changing.
Similar tyre-temperature difficulties affected other competitors at Interlagos, including Ferrari, where Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc encountered problems managing tyre temperatures and grip during the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Aquaplaning and rear grip concerns with full wet F1 tyres
The intermediate tyres were not the only focus of Carlos Sainz’s criticism. He also highlighted substantial shortcomings with the full wet compound, which drivers had been required to use during the particularly difficult conditions in qualifying.
“As for the extreme wet tyres, in qualifying we experienced significant aquaplaning and a serious lack of rear grip,” the Williams driver explained.
Aquaplaning occurs when water prevents the tyres from maintaining effective contact with the track surface, reducing the driver’s ability to control the car. Combined with insufficient rear grip, the problem can make driving in heavy rain particularly difficult.
For Carlos Sainz, the experience at Interlagos demonstrated that improvements are needed across Pirelli’s entire wet-weather range rather than focusing exclusively on one compound.
“In short, these two types of tyres still need some development. I don’t know what else to add.”
The Williams driver’s assessment underlines the continuing challenge of producing Formula 1 wet-weather tyres capable of performing effectively across a wide range of track conditions. With both intermediate and full wet compounds attracting criticism following the Brazilian Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz believes further collaboration between the drivers and Pirelli is necessary to achieve a better solution.
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