A switch from 18-inch to 16-inch tires under the new Formula 1 regulations from 2026 is probably off the table: Nevertheless, there will be small changes to the tires
Formula 1 will remain with 18-inch tires under the new regulations from 2026, after a possible switch to 16-inch tires was rejected. The smaller rim size had been considered primarily in connection with the FIA’s ongoing efforts to reduce the overall weight of the cars for 2026.
However,
Pirelli rejected this change both for practical reasons and because of the potential impact on marketing. Formula 1 switched from 13 to 18 inches in 2022, following the trend across the automotive industry.
A new size would also require major changes to Pirelli’s production process, which would need to be made in time to start a full testing program with Formula 1 cars in 2025.
For the teams, this would be an additional challenge on top of all the other tasks they have to deal with on the way to the new era.
The regulations for 2026 were recently discussed by the teams and the FIA in a meeting of the Technical Advisory Group. Although the outcome has not yet been officially announced, it was agreed to stick with 18-inch rims, albeit with slightly different tire sizes and shapes.
“We are close to the final version of the sizes,” confirmed Pirelli manager Mario Isola to Motorsport.com’s global voiceover. “When you design a wheel, obviously you have to consider the whole package, so brakes, wheel, suspension and tires, and I think we are close to the final sizes.”
“We need to change something because the new car is different and we definitely need to develop a smaller tire,” he says. “The discussion is between 16 and 18 inches. We prefer to stay with 18 inches. And I think there are good reasons to stay with 18 inches, with smaller tires, but still the same rim.”
“That’s what we’re discussing, just with a slightly smaller diameter, a slightly lower profile and a slightly narrower tire.”
Switching to 16-inch rims would at least save some weight, but Isola plays down the impact: “Weight is a factor,” he says. “And of course that affects the whole package, including the wheels. The difference between 16 and 18 inch and a narrow 18 inch is not big.”
“So the weight element is there, but that’s not the only element,” says Isola. “There is also a performance element. Because when you switch to 16-inch tires, which are much smaller, the risk of overheating is much greater. A smaller diameter means that the heat is distributed differently.”
“So there are many elements that we have to take into account if we want to develop a tire that meets the expectations of the drivers. In terms of performance, the 18-inch tire is better than the 16-inch tire. “