The garage shutters are beginning to rattle as the 2026 pre-season approaches, and Pirelli has just provided the first real glimpse into the pit lane’s tactical mindset.
With a five-day shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya looming, the tyre supplier has released the compound allocations for each team, uncovering a fascinating spread of strategies as the new challengers prepare for their first public outing.
As a reminder, each team will only be allowed to run on three of the five days of testing.
Pirelli confirmed that teams will have access to the full range of dry and wet rubber: the C1 hard, C2 medium, C3 soft, plus intermediates and full wets.
However, how those sets have been distributed suggests that the "big three" are heading into Spain with very different agendas.
Bold Red Bull Goes Soft
In what can only be described as a high-stakes gamble on data collection, Red Bull has opted for an incredibly aggressive allocation. The Milton Keynes squad has banked almost entirely on performance runs, selecting a staggering 18 sets of the C3 Soft compound.
Remarkably, the RB22 will take to the track for the first time without a prior shakedown, and it will do so with almost no "insurance" rubber; the team has opted for just a single set of Mediums and has completely shunned the Hard compound.
This "all-in" approach on the softest available rubber suggests Red Bull is eager to find the limits of their new aero package immediately.
In contrast, Mercedes appears to be prioritizing durability and long-run consistency. The Silver Arrows have gone the opposite route, loading up on a paddock-high eight sets of the C1 Hard tyres, reflecting its intent on grinding out the laps to understand how their car behaves over long runs.
It will, however, have a healthy stock of the soft compound tyre to also gauge the peak performance of its W14 silver arrow.
Varied Preparation Paths
The logistics of the test also highlight the differing philosophies in the pit lane. While most will be eager to get moving, Ferrari and McLaren have confirmed they will sit out the opening day of running.
The reigning world champions, mirroring Red Bull’s decision to skip a private shakedown, have opted for a more balanced tyre portfolio than their rivals, bringing four Hards, 10 Mediums, and six Softs.
It is a "middle-of-the-road" strategy designed to cover every possible variable during their limited track time.
However, the mood is not celebratory for everyone. The pit lane will feel slightly emptier as Williams has officially withdrawn from the Barcelona test.
Significant delays in the assembly of the FW48 mean the team will remain at the factory, leaving them with a mountain to climb once the season begins in earnest.
As the transporters arrive in Spain, the stage is set. Whether Red Bull’s thirst for Soft-tyre speed or Mercedes’ preference for Hard-compound endurance pays off will be the first great mystery of the new campaign.
Read also: Williams pulls out of Barcelona F1 test amid FW48 delays!
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