Formula One tire supplier Pirelli has released a statement after Franco Colapinto suffered a major crash while testing the 2026 tire compound in Hungary. Pirelli has distanced itself from a potential controversy, confirming that there is no link between the new tire compound and Colapinto’s crash.
Alpine, McLaren, Racing Bulls, and Ferrari were said to be taking part in the tire test, as the rest of F1 enjoys the summer break. The test began on Monday at the Hungaroring, where the 2026 C3, C4, and C5 compounds were reportedly assessed.
Images of Colapinto’s wrecked test Alpine A525 were making rounds on social media after the crash, suggesting that the incident occurred at high speed at Turn 11. Newsweek Sports reported Alpine’s statement after the incident, which confirmed that the Argentinian driver was safe. It read:
“During Day 2 of Pirelli Tyre Testing at the Hungaroring this morning, Franco Colapinto had an incident at Turn 11. Franco was assessed on site at the medical centre and is OK.”
While the reason for the crash has not been made public, Pirelli has distanced the 2026 tire from potential safety concerns. Pirelli’s motorsport head Mario Isola confirmed that there is no connection between the new tires and Colapinto’s crash. He said in a statement:
“These have been two useful days for making progress with the development of our compounds for next season, given that we are now entering the home straight.
“The Hungaroring is a demanding track due to its many slow curves and the amount of energy that goes into the tyres on a lap that is rather short. This makes it a challenging place to test tyres, in particular for the compounds that will be central to the 2026 range – which will go from C1 to C6 like this year.
“We have collected a lot of data, although it was a pity that we lost some of our potential mileage today when Colapinto went off the track, even though this was not in any way linked to the tyres.
“As for construction, we have verified our final solutions as far as homologation is concerned, ahead of the regulations coming on September 1. By contrast we now have three further test sessions – in Monza, Mugello and Mexico City – to conclude the development of the compounds, whose homologation is due on December 15.”
F1 enters a new era of regulations in 2026, where cars will feature a new chassis and a new power unit with 50% electrification. To complement the new car’s compact size, the 2026 Pirelli tires will be 25 and 30 millimeters thinner at the front and rear.
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