Formula 1 returns to Silverstone this weekend for the British Grand Prix – and tyre suppliers Pirelli have confirmed the compounds that will be in play.
This year Pirelli have gone one step softer in their range, bringing the C2 as the hard tyre, the C3 as the medium and the C4 as the soft.
Drivers will get two sets of the hard tyre (marked white), three sets of the medium tyre (marked yellow), and eight sets of the soft tyre (marked red), as well as access to the green intermediate tyre and the blue full wets, should they be required.
An extra set of softs is reserved for those who reach Q3 in Qualifying, while all drivers must use at least two different slick compounds during the race, providing the track is dry.
On the decision to bring a range that is one step softer than at last year’s British Grand Prix, Pirelli’s weekend preview says: “The aim, shared with the FIA, F1 and the teams, is to create a wider range of strategy options for the race.
“In 2024, when the C3 was the soft, it was used by just a few drivers in the closing stages of the race following the rain. This year, as the medium, it is bound to play an important role, probably in several phases of the race.
“For those aiming for a one-stop race, the stints will have to be managed very carefully, while accepting a longer total race time. Also a consideration in this equation is the fact that the time taken for a tyre change is not very long (around 20.5 seconds) and while challenging, overtaking is possible.”
In terms of the conditions that can be expected at Silverstone, the tyre manufacturer adds: “The circuit is in almost year-round use with four and two-wheeled racing categories and so it provides good grip right from Friday’s first free practice session, aided by the fact the surface is rated medium-low in terms of abrasiveness.
“Despite taking place at the height of summer, the English weather can often be unpredictable with very changeable temperatures and wind and rain suddenly putting in an appearance, turning the tables during the race, as was the case last year.”
For more information about Pirelli’s F1 tyres, visit pirelli.com.