Pirelli, the sole tyre supplier for Formula 1 since 2011, faces a significant challenge in balancing tyre performance drop-off with drivers’ desire for consistent rubber throughout a stint. The ‘sweet spot’ between these conflicting requirements is hard to pinpoint. Races with long processional phases due to tyre degradation lead to strategic emphasis on minimizing pitstops.
In response to drivers’ preferences, Pirelli adjusted compounds to be more durable this year, resulting in fewer one-stop races and decreased strategic variety. The company’s proposal to ‘skip’ compounds to create larger performance gaps could introduce more strategic decision-making in races. The decision to advance this plan depends on the performance of the new C6 tyre, which will be tested at Imola.
Pirelli’s goal is to avoid a repeat of the underwhelming debut of the ‘hyper-soft’ compound in Monaco in 2018, where teams prioritized tire conservation over racing. The company aims to gather race data on the C6 to determine the feasibility of their compound-skipping strategy for future races. Pirelli’s focus is on finding innovative tyre selection approaches to encourage more two-stop strategies and enhance race excitement.
