Alpine tested Pirelli’s 2026 rain tires at Magny-Cours this week
Alpine completed two days of testing at Magny-Cours with Pirelli to test 2026 rain tires. Reserve driver Jack Doohan tested the new tires on a wet track, completing a total of 153 laps. The tests are part of a tire validation program for the 2026 season, with further tests scheduled for 2025.
Alpine has just completed a two-day testing program at the Magny-Cours circuit in collaboration with Pirelli to test prototypes of rain tires planned for 2026. These tires, which retain the current 18-inch rims, have however reduced width and outer diameter, both at the front and at the rear.
The A523 from 2023 has been adapted to integrate these new wheel dimensions. Jack Doohan, the team’s reserve driver, took the wheel during this session. The Australian, who will make his Formula 1 debut as a full-time driver at Alpine next year, first encountered a technical setback on the first day, thus reducing the time spent on the track. He still completed 47 laps, with a best time of 1:16.461, using slick tires, before testing intermediate and extreme wet tires on a wet track.
The next day, Doohan made up some lost time by completing 106 laps, all on an artificially wet track. His best time of the day was 1:27.352. The main objective of the tests was the evaluation of extreme wet tires, although some tests were also conducted with intermediate tires.
This session was part of the last of the three tests planned this year for the 2026 tires, after sessions at the Barcelona and Mugello circuits for the dry tires. Other tests will take place in 2025, with a first evaluation of the dry tires for the 2025 season scheduled for December 10 in Abu Dhabi, on the Yas Marina circuit.
Please note that Victor Martins also took part in the tests but Pirelli did not communicate on the subject.
