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Pirelli’s Bold Plans to Revamp F1’s Neglected Wet Tyre
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Highlights
- Pirelli tested full wet tyres at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track.
- Full wets rarely used due to spray causing race stoppages.
- 2026 aims to improve full wets for actual racing usability.
- Goal to lower crossover point to 115-116% of dry lap time.
- Visibility issues from spray remain a major challenge for races.
- Charles Leclerc and Zhou Guanyu tested tyres on mule car.
Their goal is to bring the performance of the full wet tyre closer to that of the intermediate tyre. Mario Isola, Pirelli’s motorsport boss, explained that the challenge lies in shifting the ‘crossover point’—the conditions at which it makes sense to switch between intermediate and wet tyres—so the full wet becomes usable for actual racing rather than just under a Safety Car.
Recent testing involved Charles Leclerc and Zhou Guanyu driving a ‘mule car’ at Fiorano to simulate the loads expected from next-generation F1 cars. However, testing on an old chassis during a dry, warm summer day in Italy made it difficult to gather representative data for soaking wet conditions.
Pirelli set a clear goal: to reduce the lap-time gap between dry-weather and wet tyres, making the full wet a realistic choice before conditions force a race stoppage.
Currently, the crossover to intermediates typically occurs when lap times slow to about 112% of the dry pace.
Previously, the full wet tyre only became competitive around 120%, which was much later in the race conditions. The version introduced this season lowered that figure to approximately 118%.
For 2026, Pirelli aims to bring that crossover point closer to 116% or even 115%, which would allow the wet tyre to be used earlier, making it more relevant in changing weather conditions. According to Pirelli, the main challenge is not the wet compound’s pure performance but the visibility issues caused by water spray.
While tyre improvements can enhance grip and reduce degradation, they cannot solve the visibility problems that often force race officials to stop the race during heavy rain.
The results of these tests, and ongoing development throughout the season, will determine whether future F1 races see a genuine return of the full wet tyre to active duty.
Pirelli remains committed to delivering a version that teams can rely on for both performance and safety. They hope the next era of Formula 1 will end the tradition of leaving the full wet tyres unused on the shelf. Related developments in car performance and aerodynamics, as seen in recent F1 flexi wing discussions, may also influence how teams handle wet conditions.
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
* The featured image is not a real photograph — it was created using AI.
