Pirelli has revealed its selection of compounds for the three races that run from the top of Could to mid-June, Monaco, Spain and Canada.
All six of this 12 months’s homologated compounds will come into play: Monaco and Canada will see the softest trio on observe, the identical choice as for the upcoming seventh Grand Prix of the season at Imola, whereas the toughest trio can be accessible for Barcelona.
The selection of the C4, C5 and C6 for the 2 road circuits is hardly a shock. The C6 was homologated on the finish of 2025 particularly to supply a wider vary of technique decisions in some races the place the forces exerted on the tyres should not very excessive, reminiscent of these two tracks. The truth is, whereas the low degree of severity is the issue that makes it attainable to go for a step softer than final 12 months’s choice, in Montreal the excessive high speeds and vital longitudinal forces will make for a demanding take a look at for this trio of compounds, as certainly will Imola.
Overtaking is nearly unattainable at Monaco and it is unlikely {that a} tyre compound would make a giant distinction in a race the place the speeds are very low and the observe floor generates nearly no tyre degradation. Subsequently, whereas qualifying is usually thought to be probably the most thrilling of the entire season, Sunday is a unique matter which is why the FIA and F1 have determined to make two pit stops in the course of the race necessary this 12 months, whereas nonetheless requiring the usage of not less than two completely different compounds.
Between Monaco and Montreal there’s one other long-standing occasion, the Spanish Grand Prix. The Barcelona-Catalunya observe is without doubt one of the hardest of the 12 months for tyres, due to its structure, with a number of very quick, lengthy corners, and due to the excessive temperatures that sometimes result in thermal degradation.
Subsequently, the toughest trio of compounds is the apparent selection – the C1 as Exhausting, the C2 as Medium and the C3 as Gentle – the identical choice seen beforehand this 12 months in Suzuka and Sakhir.”
