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Pirelli Plans First-Ever Bahrain Wet F1 Tyre Test Using McLaren, Mercedes Mule Cars

Pirelli chose Bahrain’s abrasive track to stress wet compounds, targeting missing 2026‑car data.

Overview

  • The tyre supplier is arranging a late‑February wet test at the Bahrain International Circuit using a non‑tank sprinkler system to soak the full lap.
  • McLaren and Mercedes are set to provide 2026‑style mule cars to generate representative running for data collection.
  • Pirelli highlights consistent water coverage as the main practical risk that could skew comparisons between prototypes.
  • Findings will guide whether to keep separate intermediate and full‑wet tyres or pivot to a single “super‑intermediate” pattern.
  • Mario Isola says diffuser removal and slightly narrower tyres on 2026 cars may reduce spray, a factor the test aims to evaluate.