Pirelli turned down Mercedes for wet tyre test

Pirelli issued a polite 'no' to reigning world champion team Mercedes ahead of the recent wet tyre test at Paul Ricard. "When you're driving, you're always learning something," Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel told reporters after running in the 2015 car on Tuesday.

Indeed, some insiders expressed surprise when it emerged that Mercedes would not be running in France alongside Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren-Honda. Mercedes insisted it was happy to focus instead on its 2016 car. But Pirelli has revealed a slightly different story, with racing manager Mario Isola saying: "We noted from the outset that three cars on the track would be enough.

"When testing with more, you then have to be careful how the cars are distributed around the track," he is quoted by Speed Week. "The cars generate a lot of spray and this can distort the findings of the drivers behind. Mercedes knew from the beginning that Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren had already contacted us. They let us know 'If you need us, then we will be happy to be there, otherwise we stay at home'," Isola added. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Germany
  • Date of b. Jul 3 1987 (38)
  • Place of b. Heppenheim, Germany
  • Weight 62 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

  • Team name Pirelli
  • Base Milan, Italy
Show full profile
show sidebar