Pirelli began its second Formula One tyre testing session of 2025 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Tuesday. Ferrari joined McLaren in the development programme for 2026-spec tyres.
McLaren, fresh from participating in earlier tests at Paul Ricard, shared the track with Ferrari as three current F1 drivers put the experimental tires through their paces.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc alternated in a modified Ferrari SF-24, while Lando Norris handled testing duties in McLaren's adapted MCL60. The session shifted from last week's wet-weather tyre testing to focus on slick tyre development, specifically testing compounds ranging from C1 to C3.
Norris led the lap count with 159 circuits and posted the day's fastest time of 1 minute, 15.215 seconds. Hamilton completed 87 laps with a best time of 1:15.930, while Leclerc logged 86 laps and a 1:16.060. The combined effort totaled 332 laps around the demanding Spanish circuit.
Testing continues Wednesday with Oscar Piastri stepping in for McLaren. Ferrari will maintain its driver rotation, with Leclerc scheduled for the morning session before Hamilton takes over in the afternoon.
The Barcelona circuit, known for its high tyre wear, was specifically chosen to evaluate the harder compound tyres in Pirelli's range.
Bridgestone Supplies Bespoke Tyres For Volkswagen’s First-Ever Electric GTI
- By TT News
- June 08, 2026
Bridgestone has been named the official tyre supplier for the new Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI, the first fully electric GTI model ever produced by the German automaker. The vehicle made its public debut at the Nürburgring during the recent 24-hour race, equipped with bespoke Potenza Sport tyres.
The custom-engineered premium tyres are designed to channel the GTI’s sporting character onto the road while fulfilling critical performance criteria, including braking efficiency, tread wear life and reduced road noise. Bridgestone developed the tyres in Italy, integrating the company’s advanced ENLITEN technology.
To achieve this design, Bridgestone relied on its proprietary Virtual Tyre Development technology, which allowed for precise engineering without extensive physical prototyping. The result is a tailored tyre solution that supports the electric GTI’s unique demands while maintaining high performance standards.
Yokohama Supplies GEOLANDAR A/T G94 Tyres For New Toyota Land Cruiser FJ
- By TT News
- June 03, 2026
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has confirmed its GEOLANDAR A/T G94 tyres will serve as original equipment for Toyota Motor Corporation’s newly launched Land Cruiser FJ SUV. This latest model in the Land Cruiser series debuted worldwide, with the tyres fitted to vehicles sold across Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. Japanese-market FJ models will not receive this tyre.
Designed as an all-terrain SUV tyre, the GEOLANDAR A/T G94 balances fuel efficiency, comfort, safety and utility performance on varied road surfaces. The GEOLANDAR brand has a proven record on several Toyota SUVs, including the recent supply of the A/T G31 for the Land Cruiser 250 series and the 4Runner.
Under its Yokohama Transformation 2026 medium-term plan (2024–2026), Yokohama Rubber’s consumer tyre division aims to raise sales ratios of high-value-added products. A key initiative includes promoting flagship ADVAN and GEOLANDAR brand tyres for SUVs and pickup trucks as original equipment on new vehicles.
NEXEN TIRE Expands Kia Seltos OE Tyre Supply To North America And Europe
- By TT News
- May 29, 2026
NEXEN TIRE has expanded its original equipment tyre supply for the Kia all-new Seltos into North America and Europe, following an earlier rollout for the Korean market in March with the N’PRIZ S and N’FERA AU7.
For North America, the company provides the N’PRIZ S in a 16-inch fitment for United States and Canada. This tyre is designed for electric, hybrid and combustion vehicles, emphasising mileage performance and ride comfort. In Europe, including Germany, France and the Netherlands, NEXEN TIRE supplies summer tyres across multiple sizes. The N’FERA Primus comes in 16- and 18-inch fitments, offering high-speed stability and wet braking, while the 19-inch N’FERA Sport delivers ultra-high-performance capability validated in European tyre tests.
This regional strategy highlights NEXEN TIRE’s ability to tailor OE solutions for a single vehicle model across different markets. The manufacturer continues to grow its global OE portfolio, covering mass-market SUVs to premium brands.
John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "This OE supply for the all-new Seltos goes beyond simply increasing volume – it demonstrates NEXEN TIRE's ability to deliver products tailored to the specific road conditions and consumer needs of each market. We will continue to strengthen partnerships with global automakers and expand our market-optimised OE supply going forward."
Yokohama’s Sporty ADVAN FLEVA V701 Tyres Chosen As OE For Honda’s New Super-ONE EV
- By TT News
- May 28, 2026
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has confirmed the supply of its ADVAN FLEVA V701 tyres as original equipment for Honda Motor Co., Ltd.’s new compact electric vehicle. The Super-ONE, launched in Japan in May 2026 with a gradual rollout planned for United Kingdom and several Asian markets, uses the tyre in size 185/55R15 82V.
Engineered under the ADVAN brand’s philosophy of delivering driving enjoyment, the sporty high-performance tyre provides sharp handling across city streets, winding roads and highways. The EV is marketed under different names regionally, including Super-ONE in Japan and Asia & Oceania, Honda Super-ONE in select Asia & Oceania countries and Super-N in UK.
Honda developed the Super-ONE to combine everyday usability and environmental performance with a unique fun-to-drive character. By engaging all driver senses through sporty handling only a small EV can offer, the model aims to deliver an exciting and uplifting driving experience.
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