By: During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Formula1.it had the opportunity to spend time with Pirelli motorsport director Dario Marrafuschi, discussing several issues related to the on-track spectacle seen in recent races.
The Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid brought an interesting tyre-related issue to the fore. The C4 Soft and C3 Medium showed rather pronounced degradation, while the harder compounds subsequently delivered consistent and competitive performance, proving to be the best race option. Starting from an analysis of that event, we discussed in greater detail the challenges surrounding the 2027 season and the wider outlook for the next championship.
Focus on the Madring: how Pirelli will work towards 2027
Daniele Muscarella (Formula1.it director): “In a previous interview with Dromo, we were told that at the Madring some of the differences found, compared with the circuit’s initial planned layout, were determined by the technology used to wash the asphalt. Are these practices agreed between you and the teams, or are there aspects that can take you by surprise when you arrive at the track? Did you find any differences compared with your expectations?"
Dario Marrafuschi (Pirelli motorsport director): “First of all, we do not have the know-how to define what type of asphalt should be used, nor how it can and should be washed, so we are not actively involved in these discussions. It is a highly technical matter. We are not actively involved, but we are informed because we have to assess and, if necessary, adapt our choices to the final result. We do not decide how it is done, but we need to be aware of the situation we will find. As far as the Madrid track is concerned, we found excellent grip from the asphalt, and performance was higher in terms of lap time. The compounds worked well, but the Monumental corner is very severe on the tyres and the layout, in general, led to high wear on the softer compounds”.
Daniele Muscarella (Formula1.it director): “Will you make the same choices next year as you did this year, or will there be surprises?”
Dario Marrafuschi (Pirelli motorsport director): “We chose the C2, C3 and C4 based on the information we received. You always learn something from a race. If we look at the Soft and Medium data, they did not suffer dramatic degradation at all. We were in line with what has been seen at other tracks where there are two or three pit stops. It was just difficult to overtake and, for that very reason, the strategy tended to favour the so-called train: whoever changed tyres last won. Then there was the likelihood of Safety Cars… There will be discussions to have for next year, in which we will play an active role. We will follow the requests that are made of us. They will certainly ask us to work towards slightly more degradation. We should remember that the 2026 compounds were designed without proper physical support that reflected the new cars, nor could we rely on circuit data. The track had yet to be built. Nobody knew what to expect, and we brought the C2, on which Gasly completed the entire Grand Prix, as well as compounds such as the C3 and C4 which, had overtaking been possible, would have allowed for two or even three pit stops. Degradation ranged from seven hundredths per lap to two tenths per lap. A range that would have meant two pit stops had we been at another track. We will make our assessments and decide what to do, whether to go with the C2, C3 and C4 again or make another choice".
Looking ahead to 2027, Pirelli is working towards more pit stops
Marco Sassara (Formula1.it journalist): “Since we are on the subject of 2027, what is the biggest challenge you believe you will have to face, also considering the evolution the cars will undergo?”
Dario Marrafuschi (Pirelli motorsport director): “The limits of development have been defined. A balance will have to be struck between power units, aerodynamic load and tyres. We have already assessed the limits to which all the subsystems can be pushed in order to maintain the car’s overall balance. We have worked to remain within these constraints and retain tyres that can be used by all teams, while also seeking to increase the level of degradation. This is with a view to generating more pit stops. Next year, the specifications selected move more in this direction. We want more degradation while giving drivers the opportunity to battle, rather than having only one lap available before the compound switches off. We want to operate within the system’s constraints while trying to amplify what is being asked of us”
Marco Sassara (Formula1.it journalist): “A yes-or-no question: will there be higher lateral loads in 2027?”
Dario Marrafuschi (Pirelli motorsport director): “Yes, development is heading in that direction”
Daniele Muscarella (Formula1.it director): “In previous years, we noticed greater pressure on Pirelli. Perhaps the new regulations have diverted some attention… I now hear you saying that you have begun receiving requests for 2027: more degradation, more pit stops… Do you think tyres will be talked about a little more next year?”
Dario Marrafuschi (Pirelli motorsport director): “The truth is that this pressure has always been there behind the scenes. We always have targets that we must try to meet. They may be less interesting to the wider public, but for us it is a constant, really”.
We thank Dario Marrafuschi (Pirelli motorsport director) for his courtesy and availability during the interview, as well as the Pirelli staff for their support in making it possible. Partial reproduction of this exclusive interview is permitted provided the author (Marco Sassara) and Formula1.it are credited, with a link to the original content.
Learning from Pirelli: Marrafuschi exclusive: «Teams need aerodynamic load»
Cover and interior photo (close-up of Antonelli, Mercedes): Pirelli
Interior photo (Dario Marrafuschi, Pirelli motorsport director) by Peter Kiss / WHYOUT Images
