Aston Martin has been selected through a "lottery process" to be the first Formula 1 team to test Pirelli's new and marginally smaller tyres designed for the 2026 regulations.
Initially, there was a suggestion within F1 to seek additional weight reductions by switching to 16-inch tyres for the entirely new engine and chassis regulations. Ultimately, however, only a slight decrease in size was settled upon.
"We are happy with the decision to stay on the 18-inch tyres," stated Pirelli's F1 chief Mario Isola in Austria.
"Sixteen was not the right way to go, because the loads that are predicted are still quite high and cars will be fast.
"We will have the first physical prototypes at the end of August, probably, and we are planning to test on track in September."
This initial tyre testing is scheduled to occur in Barcelona, sandwiched between the Baku-Singapore double-header. Aston Martin's team principal, Mike Krack, disclosed that his team would supply the modified 'mule' car, tailored to mimic the performance levels expected in 2026.
"There was a selection process or a lottery process because there was a number of teams who wanted to be part of this test program," he explained at the Red Bull Ring.
"We were drawn first, so we are the first to do this. We're exchanging with Pirelli what the program will be and we're trying to replicate the car that has been defined from the FIA according to a technical directive," Krack further added.
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