Major change looming for Belgian Grand Prix

A major change has been announced by Pirelli for this season's Belgian Grand Prix, with F1's tyre supplier to make history in the ground effects era by skipping a compound. 

Pirelli usually takes three consecutive tyre compounds to each grand prix; however, for this summer's trip to Spa-Francorchamps it has opted to skip the C2. 

This will be the first time Pirelli has done this under the current regulations, and opens the door to more strategies and increased pace differences between the available compounds.

Instead, Pirelli has confirmed that it will take its hardest compound – the C1 – as well as the C3 and C4. 

It has been done by the tyre manufacturer to offer a wider range of strategies, with the pace difference between the C1 (hard) and the C3 (medium) being considerable. 

Pirelli has also announced a significant change in compounds for the British Grand Prix. For Silverstone, Pirelli has gone a step softer than in the past, with the C2, C3 and C4 being taken. 

Traditionally, the hardest compounds have been taken to Silverstone due to the stress that the circuit puts on the tyres. 

By taking softer tyres, the chance of multiple pit stops being required has increased. Pirelli also confirmed that the C3, C4 and C5 compounds will be used in Austria and Hungary.