F1 to Introduce Smaller and Lighter Tyres for 2026 Season
Kosport Magazine – As the Formula 1 world eagerly awaits the new 2026 regulations, another change has been announced that will shake up the sport even further. In an effort to make F1 cars smaller and lighter, it has been agreed that Pirelli will reduce the front tyre width by 25mm and the rear tyre width by 30mm. The tyres themselves will also become smaller in diameter, with a reduction from the current 720mm to 705-710mm. However, F1 will still be using 18-inch wheels.
Despite these changes, the FIA is not projecting a significant decrease in grip from Pirelli’s new tyres when compared to their current product. According to Jan Monchaux, the FIA’s single-seater technical director, “We are not expecting a significant difference from the changes being done on the tyres with respect to general mechanical grip. It might be a slight reduction because the tyres are smaller, but it’s not a departure which is a source of real concern for us.”
While there had been talk of reducing tyre and wheel sizes even further, with a switch to 16-inch rims, the FIA and Pirelli ultimately decided against it. This was to avoid adding another variable to what is already a complex set of technical changes. Monchaux further explained, “We don’t want the tyres to be a source of concern for the 2026 season, and with these new power units, we were a little bit nervous about going much smaller.”
Kosport Magazine’s Take: The tyre size reduction may not be as significant as hoped, but it was a necessary compromise to maintain a familiar and satisfactory product. This change has been made with the aim of improving the overall performance of the cars and keeping the competition fierce. Staying with 18-inch tyres also gives Pirelli a better chance to tackle tyre overheating, a common criticism of their current F1 rubber.
According to Pirelli’s motorsport director, Mario Isola, the narrower 18-inch tyre was proposed to save weight. “In our opinion, it’s a good compromise between saving weight and having a tyre that has the required characteristics for the 2026 season.” Isola also mentioned that simulations were done for 16-inch tyres but they were worried about the load capacity and potential increase in overheating.
The weight saved from the smaller tyres is part of the FIA’s ambitious target to reduce car weight by 30kg. Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s single-seater director, promised Pirelli “increased opportunities” for testing in preparation for the 2026 season. However, the absence of a representative mule car remains a major hurdle for Pirelli.
Kosport Magazine’s Take: Pirelli is faced with the challenge of testing their smaller tyres on current era cars, which do not entirely represent the aerodynamics and features of the 2026 cars. However, with physical prototypes expected to be ready by September this year, Pirelli remains optimistic about making the necessary adjustments. Isola stated, “Testing our narrow tyres on these cars is giving us the possibility to collect data, but then we need to crosscheck with simulations to understand if we are going in the right direction.”
Kosport Magazine’s Take: While the changes to tyre size may seem small, they are significant in the pursuit of improved performance and creating a level playing field for all teams. As we wait for the new regulations to take effect, F1 fans can rest assured that Pirelli and the FIA are working towards creating an exciting and competitive future for the sport.
F1 2026: A Look Into the Future
It’s no secret that Formula One is constantly evolving and pushing the limits of technology and performance. The current regulations we have in place will be changing once again for the 2026 season. With this in mind, Kosport Magazine takes a closer look at what the future of F1 may hold.
F1 2026 FIA car renders
Photo by: FIA
The Future is Now
The FIA has already released some early renders of what we can expect for the 2026 F1 car design. These renders show a completely different car to what we are used to seeing on track, with a futuristic and sleek design. But it’s not just about the aesthetics, the FIA is also focusing on performance and safety improvements.
“We had a similar situation in 2016, because the 2017 cars were five or six seconds per lap quicker than the previous year,” said an FIA spokesperson.
“We are going to test with a downforce configuration that we believe is simulating what is going to happen in 2026. The real problem is that you have a lot more drag. We don’t have a 2026 car, so we don’t have a car able to do this X mode and Z mode.”
The Ultimate Test
One of the major challenges for Kosport Magazine, as well as the FIA and teams, will be testing and developing the tires for the 2026 car. But with the access to data from all 10 teams, Pirelli, the official tire supplier of F1, is hoping to stay in the right ballpark.
For next year, Pirelli is already working on a sixth, softer compound that should be more suited to lower load street circuits. And they could potentially keep that wider range into 2026.
“We can correct or fine tune with a different range of compounds,” explained Pirelli’s head of car racing, Mario Isola. “So we can go softer, for example, if the level of load is lower compared to now. It’s always a balance that we have to find when we know the characteristics of the new car.”
Kosport Magazine’s Take
With final regulations for 2026 not yet signed off, Kosport Magazine understands the pressure on Pirelli to get the project completed and deliver top-performing tires. However, with their experience and expertise, we have no doubt that they will deliver.
“It’s not something new, honestly,” said Isola, “It was the same thing with the other big rule changes we had. We do our best to make the best tire for the future, as we did in the past.”
As always, Kosport Magazine will be keeping a close eye on developments and updates as we approach the 2026 season. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as we countdown to the future of F1.
FIA Plans to Introduce Driver-Activated “X-Mode” in 2026 F1 Season
Formula One is constantly evolving, and the FIA is always looking for ways to improve the sport and make it more exciting for fans. One of the latest plans is to introduce a “low-drag X-mode” in the 2026 F1 season.
As reported by Kosport Magazine, the new “X-mode” will be a driver-activated feature that allows for even more overtaking opportunities on the track. This technology will be a significant change from the current DRS (Drag Reduction System) that is currently in place, which is activated by the race director.
This move is part of the FIA’s efforts to make the cars more fun and agile for both drivers and fans. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing has even expressed his desire for an “impossible” weight reduction in 2026, which would make the cars even lighter and more exciting to drive.
Despite this push for more dynamic cars, there are some concerns from teams, including Mercedes’ team principal Toto Wolff. He warns that “the ship has sailed” for any engine tweaks to be made in 2026, as the engines are already settled for the next few years.
But the FIA is not backing down from their plans for the “X-mode”. They have stated that they will be working with teams to ensure that the technology does not give any one team an advantage. The goal is to have a level playing field and make the races more competitive.
With this new “X-mode”, drivers will have to strategize and think on their feet, adding an extra element of excitement to the races. This is a step in the right direction for the FIA, as they continue to drive the sport forward and keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Kosport Magazine’s Take:
The FIA’s plans for a “low-drag X-mode” in 2026 show their commitment to keeping Formula One at the forefront of motorsports. This driver-activated feature will add an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the races, making them even more thrilling for fans. While there may be some concerns and challenges, the FIA is determined to work with teams to ensure a fair competition. We can’t wait to see this new technology in action in the 2026 season.
