Pirelli Wraps 2026 Jerez Test with Alpine & Mercedes

Pirelli completed crucial 2026 tire tests in Jerez with Alpine and Mercedes, as Doohan and Russell gathered valuable data on Spanish asphalt.

Pirelli F1’s third test session for 2025 concluded yesterday at the Angel Nieto circuit in Jerez de la Frontera, southern Spain.

Once again, the focus was on developing the 2026 tires, which retain the current 18-inch diameter but are slightly narrower—25 millimeters at the front and 30 millimeters at the rear. This session followed tests at Le Castellet in January and Barcelona last week. The two days were dedicated to comparing various constructions and compounds.

Three teams took to the track: Alpine F1 ran both days, joined by McLaren F1 on Wednesday and Mercedes F1 yesterday.

On the final day, Australian Jack Doohan drove a mule car based on the 2023 Alpine A523, while George Russell was at the wheel of a W15, the car he raced last season, adapted to the new tire dimensions. A total of 248 laps were completed—113 by Doohan and 135 by Russell. The teams followed different programs, making performance comparisons irrelevant, but for reference, Doohan’s best lap time was 1’17”255, while Russell clocked 1’17”976.

“Another good test at the start of the 2025 season, thanks to the crucial collaboration of the three teams involved,” commented Pirelli’s Motorsport Director, Mario Isola.

“In addition to the data collected at Paul Ricard and the Barcelona circuit, we now have a large amount of valuable information from Jerez. Although it has been off the championship calendar for many years, it remains a valuable testing ground, partly due to the favorable weather conditions at this time of year.”

“We now have one more test session before the start of the 2025 season to conclude this first and crucial phase of on-track work. The data gathered so far will allow us to refine our development even further for the upcoming tests.”

Pirelli’s next test session will take place at the Sakhir circuit on March 2-3, where Alpine F1 will be back on track, this time joined by Williams.