Pirelli completes 2000 km Nurburgring tire test with Mercedes and McLaren. Pirelli completes over 2000 km of testing at the Nürburgring with Mercedes and McLaren.

Pirelli completes extensive Nürburgring test with Mercedes and McLaren

Pirelli made full use of two intensive testing days at the Nürburgring to evaluate different tyre structure solutions ahead of next season, aiming to gather as much data as possible for the development of future Formula 1 tyres. Working alongside Mercedes and McLaren, the Italian manufacturer tested several variants of the C3 compound, before switching towards the end of the programme to the softer C4 and C5 tyres. Over the course of the two days, more than 2000 kilometres were completed, providing a valuable dataset for ongoing development.

The Nürburgring sessions proved particularly important for Pirelli, especially after the cancellation of the planned test in Jeddah due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. That session was originally scheduled to take place immediately after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, forcing Pirelli to revise its development plans and maximize the available track time in Germany.

Focus on tyre structure ahead of homologation deadlines

Although the season is still in its early stages, this period is crucial for Pirelli, as it begins to assess key aspects of tyre construction — particularly the structure and carcass — in preparation for homologation. These deadlines are set well in advance of those relating to compound selection, making early-season testing essential for defining the overall direction of development.

For this reason, continuing to collect meaningful data remains a top priority. The second day of testing at the Nürburgring followed this objective closely, with Mercedes and McLaren running multiple configurations of slick tyres. After George Russell and Oscar Piastri took part on the opening day, the spotlight shifted to Andrea Kimi Antonelli — current leader of the world championship — and Lando Norris, who drove the Mercedes W17 and McLaren MCL40 respectively.

Antonelli and Norris complete intensive programme

The two drivers carried out a demanding and well-structured testing programme, aided by stable weather conditions, with track temperatures averaging 26°C and air temperatures around 14°C. The initial phase focused on structural variations of the C3 compound, continuing the work started by their teammates on the previous day. During this stage, Antonelli and Norris completed several eight-lap runs, allowing for direct comparisons between different configurations.

In the final hours of the session, attention shifted to the softer compounds. Pirelli assigned the C4 tyre to Kimi Antonelli, while Lando Norris ran the C5 — the softest compound in the current range — on his McLaren. From a mileage perspective, the figures were particularly significant: Norris completed 108 laps, covering 556 kilometres, while Antonelli logged 109 laps for a total of 561 kilometres.

The fastest lap times of the day were 1:33.640 for the McLaren driver and 1:32.990 for the Italian at the wheel of the Mercedes. Across both days of testing, a total of 2106 kilometres were completed at the Nürburgring, providing Pirelli with a substantial and highly valuable pool of data to support the evolution of future Formula 1 tyres.