Pirelli confirm tyre compound choices for upcoming races

Pirelli have announced the tyre compound choices that they'll be bringing to the next four rounds of the Formula 1 World Championship.

With tyres being an enhanced factor of consideration for the teams this season as they adjust to life with the bigger 18-inch wheels, Pirelli continue to manufacture five different compounds of varying grip and longevity for use across the broad spectrum of circuits on the calendar.

The C1 represents the most durable tyre, albeit with the least grip, while the C5 is the softest and, in theory, quickest – the trade-off being a far shorter lifespan.

The characteristics of each circuit are taken into consideration in order to allow Pirelli to make the best choice of compounds to bring along to each race, as the tyre manufacturer choose which compound will be marked as the 'Soft', 'Medium' and 'Hard' for all events.

Are there any unusual choices over the next four races?

Pirelli opted for an unusual compound choice for the Australian Grand Prix, choosing to bring a Soft tyre (C5) that was a full two steps softer than the Medium (C3) – the first time since moving to the C1-C5 tyre model system that such a decision was made.

This had the effect of essentially turning the Soft into a qualifying tyre, meaning it wasn't used by anyone during the Grand Prix.

For the next four races, starting with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the compound choices won't replicate this move.

For Imola, Pirelli are handing out the C2 to C4 tyre range for the Hard to Soft compounds. The same mid-range choices have been made for the inaugural Miami Grand Prix.

In Barcelona, Pirelli will supply their hardest compounds. The harsh track surface at the Spanish GP venue means the C1 will be used as the Hard tyre, the C2 as the Medium, and the C3 as the Soft.

For Monaco, the C3 will be the Hard, the C4 the Medium and the C5 the Soft, as the tyre manufacturer go from one extreme of their range to the other.