27 August 2026 18:00 (UTC)
“It's always useful to keep building your understanding of the car”
The McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team have completed a two-day Pirelli Tyre Test at the Mugello Circuit with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri behind the wheel of the MCL40.
Following the Dutch Grand Prix, Lando and Oscar returned to our 2026 challenger to test Pirelli’s 2027 prototype tyres. As is standard for these tests, Pirelli set the run plan, which included a selection of prototype compounds that were being compared to the 2026 dry baseline tyres. This is the second test of this kind for the team, with the first one taking place back in April at the Nürburgring.
Oscar completed 90 laps (464 km) in the MCL40 on Wednesday, whilst Lando completed 114 laps (594 km) on Thursday. The programme combined low- and high-fuel running with continuous push laps to support Pirelli’s data collection.
Despite an electrical issue during Oscar’s morning running, the team had a very productive afternoon, testing three different 2027 Pirelli compounds and finishing the day with three high-fuel long runs. Lando’s morning consisted of several shorter runs, with select compounds used again during the afternoon’s long runs.
Pirelli organise 40 days' worth of official Tyre Tests each year, which all 11 teams are offered. For this Pirelli Test in Mugello, the McLaren Mastercard team were joined by Red Bull and Audi. The data gathered during these tests is shared across all 11 teams, including the valuable feedback given by the drivers, which informs future tyre development.
"It was a productive couple of days with Pirelli. Like the test we did at the Nürburgring, the main goal was to give useful feedback and help with the development of the tyres that we'll be racing on in the future. It's good that all the teams get the opportunity to contribute and play a part in that process.
"Mugello is a really cool circuit and one I haven’t raced at since 2020, so it was nice to return and get some laps here. Any time in the car is valuable, even when you're running to a programme set by Pirelli, as it's always useful to keep building your understanding of the car. We've got a busy run of races coming up, so now the focus shifts straight back to preparing for the next two weekends."
“Yesterday, it was good to get some more laps in the MCL40. This circuit holds special memories for me from my junior formula days, but it’s good to drive a Formula 1 car around here. We got a lot of laps done, which means Pirelli got a lot of data and feedback to work with, which is what we’re here for.
“Having multiple teams testing at the same time is also useful, as it gives Pirelli even more information to utilise. We all run to the test programmes and setups they provide, depending on what they’re looking to learn. It’s always interesting to be involved in that process, and it was a productive couple of days all round. Today, I’m back in Woking for more simulator time, before we return to Italy for the next race.”
