Latest news with #Pirelli
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The challenges Pirelli faces developing all-new 2026 F1 tyres
The 2026 revolution in Formula 1 doesn't just involve new cars and a different engine formula. It also includes an entirely new generation of tyres - an element that plays a crucial role in modern F1. Initially, the FIA wanted to switch to 16-inch for 2026 to reduce weight, but sole tyre supplier Pirelli opposed this for several reasons, including road relevance. As a result, F1 will stick with 18-inch tyres, but the new wheels will be narrower and have a slightly smaller diameter as well, which should still contribute to weight savings in 2026. Mule cars not fully representative of F1 2026 machinery Next year's tyres will feature an all-new construction and new compounds. Extensive testing is in full swing, most recently with Aston Martin and Sauber at Silverstone. However, it's a complicated process, as Pirelli can't test its new tyres on 2026-spec cars and has to rely on 'mule cars' - modified cars under the current set of regulations that are adapted to simulate the 2026 characteristics. Pirelli admits they are not truly representative of next year, and as such, developing the new 2026 tyres is to some extent a leap into the unknown. Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber, Pirelli test Silverstone 'I'm satisfied with the development so far, but of course, there are a lot of question marks,' Mario Isola, head of Pirelli Motorsport, told 'First of all, that's related to the car. We are using mule cars. Teams are doing a good job in trying to give us a car that is as representative as possible, but they are still current cars. 'It means they are cars with a different aero package and a different level of downforce as well. Actually, we estimate that the downforce they are generating is higher compared to what we'll have next year. 'This means that it's a bit difficult for us to have a range of compounds that is perfectly centred across the performance of the car. 'If the car is stressing the tyres more or less compared to what you expect, then of course there's a risk to go too aggressive or too conservative with the tyres, because you don't have a clear idea on what you will find in 2026.' Still, Isola sees reason for optimism based on past experience: 'In 2021, when we were developing the 18-inch tyre, and it was working quite well in 2022. Mario Isola, Racing Manager, Pirelli Motorsport, on the grid 'During the first year with the new cars, we didn't find any major changes that were needed on the tyres.' 'Obviously, fine-tunings are always necessary, so I'm still expecting a tyre in 2027 that is different from the one in 2026,' added Isola, expecting there to be a better understanding of the new regulations once they are in effect for a year. A calculated guess for 2026? Until then, Pirelli must to some extent make a calculated guess based on various parameters and sources of information that it can look it. The mule cars are one of them, but can't be trusted as an absolute benchmark. 'We cannot just rely on our tests with the mule cars,' added Isola. 'We need to cross all the information that is coming from the track with simulations from the teams, what their simulators say about 2026, our virtual model and a thermomechanical model of the tyres. 'So, it's quite a lot of work together with our modelling department, R&D, the testing department, material department and many more elements. 'We've also found differences between the mule cars, each team is preparing a mule car in a different way.' Lando Norris, McLaren during Pirelli test To simulate the reduced downforce levels of 2026, teams run significantly less wing than they normally would on a given track - but that's not the only adjustment for the tests. 'No, it's not just about the wings,' said Isola, 'because they have to change the ride height as well, given the new tyres are lower in diameter. 'So, they made some modifications to the cars that are allowed by the FIA in order to give us the most representative mule cars. 'But as I said, we still found differences across the teams. It's useful for us to test with all the teams to get a complete picture and also to get a good idea about the differences across all mule cars. 'But to return to your initial question: overall, we're quite happy with the progress, and we believe that we can have a well-balanced product in 2026.' Testing of the 2026 tyres will continue on 5-6 August at the Hungaroring, followed by additional sessions in Monza, Mugello, and Mexico City. To read more articles visit our website.
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Bangkok Post
Pirelli Launches New Office and Logistics Hub
Bangkok, 14 July 2025 – Pirelli Tyre (Thailand) Limited celebrated the official opening of its new office and logistics hub in Bangkok, Thailand. This milestone marks a significant step in the Group's strategy to strengthen its presence in ASEAN, where Pirelli already has a strong commercial footprint, underscoring its long-term commitment to the Asia-Pacific region. As a pure consumer tyre company, Pirelli will focus on developing its passenger car and motorcycle businesses, as well as reinforcing its brand in Thailand. In addition to decisively strengthening well-established partnerships with key Motorcycle Original Equipment (OE) manufacturers, the opening of the new local logistics hub in Bangkok will bolster Car OE collaborations and its motorsport business. This will further enhance Pirelli's capabilities across key mobility sectors, reaffirming its commitment to delivering premium solutions tailored to regional market needs. The opening event was held at One Bangkok Tower, with the participation of Mr Andrea Conti, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Italy in Thailand; Mr Giacomo Iobizzi, Secretary-General of the Italian Chamber of Commerce; alongside Mr Andrea Maganzani, Pirelli APAC CEO; Mr Ting Chen, Managing Director of Pirelli Asia Pte Ltd; and Mr Leonardo Saccioni, Managing Director of Pirelli Thailand. 'The opening of Thailand's new office and logistics hub is more than a milestone – it's a reaffirmation of Pirelli's commitment to Southeast Asia,' said Mr Maganzani. 'By strengthening our presence here, we aim to offer better support to Thailand's consumers and partners, while enhancing strategic collaborations with leading retailers and manufacturers.' Pirelli's presence in Thailand is already well established through strong relationships with leading retail chains and car dealers. In the motorcycle segment, Pirelli supplies renowned OEMs such as Triumph, Ducati, Royal Enfield, Honda, and BMW. The new facilities will serve as a local base for direct engagement with partners, enabling Pirelli to respond swiftly to market demands and drive future growth across Thailand's dynamic automotive landscape.
Auto Blog
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
BMW's New M2 Track Pack Teased To Torment Audi Again
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. View post: Do You Have to Be an Off-Roader to Daily a 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro? My Thoughts After Reviewing It It's the under-the-skin upgrades that will be most interesting Now that the second-generation BMW M2 has been around for a few years, the German marque is hard at work rolling out more focused versions of the compact two-door sports coupe. Just last month, the M2 CS arrived with more power, and it has already shattered the Audi RS3's Nürburgring record for compact cars. Now, BMW M has teased a street-legal track package for the M2, and our spies have also captured the M2 with this pack being tested on a track. The various M Performance Parts will no doubt turn this into an even more vicious track toy, so let's take a closer look. Oops! We're unable to load this content right now. View directly on Instagram Huge Rear Wing Stands Out Source: BMW The teaser shots are of a yellow M2 with the front and rear ends partially concealed by a camo wrap. The new rear wing is unmissable, though, and should increase the car's downforce. To the eye, it looks like this model sits a bit lower to the ground than the standard M2, while the front lip also seems to protrude a little more, which is evident in the spy shots below. We can also spot Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS rubber, and these performance-focused tires should help to extract maximum performance from the coupe. One partial shot offers a glimpse into the cabin, but we can't make out much more than the widescreen display found in other M2s. Rear headrests suggest that any weight-saving measures haven't gone as far as removing the back seats, as is the case on the more extreme M4 CSL. 'The BMW M2 hits the Nürburgring, pushing BMW M Performance Parts to the limit,' said a post from BMW M, more than a hint that the coupe will be chasing another Nürburgring record. 'BMW M Performance Parts is developing a street legal track day package to deliver pure performance.' More Power And Chassis Upgrades Likely Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Right now, it's not clear whether the Track Package applies to the normal M2, the M2 CS, or both. Nevertheless, we expect BMW will be making a few changes under the skin, beyond the visual updates we can see. The standard M2's 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine makes 473 horsepower, while the one in the CS goes all the way up to 523 hp. We doubt that BMW will want to step on the toes of the CS, so an output between these two M2s seems likely. If applied to the standard M2, it's possible the Track Package could come with a manual gearbox. Remember, the CS sticks with an automatic, as its output of 523 hp was deemed too much for the manual gearbox to handle. Set to be introduced in 2026, we hope to see a full reveal of the M2 with the Track Package later this year, which is also when pricing is likely to be announced. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
5G-Connected Tires Being Used to Facilitate Road Repairs
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Drivers know about potholes, frost heaves and pavement erosion long before the government organization in charge of the roads does. In Italy, that timing is becoming more equal. The Apulia (Puglia) Regional Government launched a pilot project with Pirelli to test the company's Cyber Tyre functionality, mapping the area's road network and increasing safety. The project aims to create a "state of health" for the region's roads. Pirelli's Cyber Tyre gathers data via an embedded sensor and then transmits it to the car's electronic control unit using 5G technology. The data is then transferred to onboard devices, like an infotainment screen. Three Pirelli tire lines feature the Cyber technology: Pirelli P Zero (PZ4), P Zero Corsa and P Zero Winter. Cyber-enabled tires are distinguished by a "C" on the sidewall. Work in progress in the highway the text reads 'Reduce speed because there are Men at Work' in Italian. Work in progress in the highway the text reads 'Reduce speed because there are Men at Work' in Italian. iStockphoto/Getty The data the tires transmit will be paired with data collected by Univrses technology via cameras on the test vehicle. It is the first project in the world that is capable of unifying the two types of data. "The Apulia Region is proud of this forward-looking agreement, as we always are when it comes to ensuring the safety of citizens. Technology can save lives. In this case, it will be useful as a thermometer of the state of health of our roads," President of the Apulia Region, Michele Emiliano, told Newsweek. "When you systematize factors such as innovation, intelligent and long-term planning, the exchange of best practices with a historic Italian and world tyre company, the result is an historic agreement, which does not entail any charges for the Region and I am sure will bring significant results," he continued. The cars for the project have been supplied by Ayvens, a rental company that offers long-term rental services and fleet management. They are on the Apulian roads collecting data today. "For Pirelli's digital development, Apulia is becoming an important center of excellence, fully integrated with our other research hubs around the world. At the heart of this innovation and the related activities lies the Cyber Tyre technology: this hardware and software system not only enables a connection between the road surface and the vehicle's control systems, but also allows for precise analysis of road infrastructure conditions, contributing to increased road safety," Marco Tronchetti Provera, executive vice chairman of Pirelli, told Newsweek. The project is preparing Pirelli for the connected technology that will rule the day in tomorrow's smart cities. "In the future, Pirelli Cyber Tyre will also be able to provide essential information in anticipation of the advent of smart cities, communicating with the surrounding environment and other vehicles through 5G connectivity," the executive said. Highway with the signs of the locations of Southern Italy Naples Salerno Reggio Calabria Pescara and Bari with several cars running. Highway with the signs of the locations of Southern Italy Naples Salerno Reggio Calabria Pescara and Bari with several cars running. iStockphoto/Getty Pirelli has long-standing business interests in the Apulia Region. Part of its research and development team works out of Bari in the Digital Solutions Center, a software factory focused entirely on digital innovation.
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
Trailer holding $100K in tires stolen from Guelph business
Guelph Police are investigating after a trailer was reported stolen. An employee of a south-end business called police to report the theft on Friday afternoon. They told officers a person had allegedly come to the business earlier in the week and claimed to be from a legitimate trucking company. They told the employee they were picking up the trailer as part of a delivery to Winnipeg. When the trailer did not arrive, the employee reported the incident. The trailer was reported to be holding almost 400 new Pirelli brand tires. Police have asked anyone with information to call Sergeant Ian Smith at 519-824-1212 extension 7125 or email ismith@
