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Pirelli looks ahead to F1 pre season tests: What choices will teams make?
The winter test in Bahrain is set to begin the day after Red Bull Racing's shakedown. Over the course of the three-day test, teams will test various Pirelli tyre compounds, including the new soft compound, C6. This will give drivers the chance to evaluate the performance of the new tyres under different conditions as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Pirelli looks ahead to the F1 test in Bahrain
While teams are testing their new cars for the 2025 season, Pirelli's new compounds are also undergoing extensive testing. The construction of the slick tyres has been slightly modified to better cope with the increased aerodynamic loads brought by the latest generation of cars. There are six different compounds available, each identified by specific markings to distinguish their characteristics.
C1: white letters without a coloured stripe
C2: white letters with a white stripe
C3: yellow letters without a stripe
C4: yellow letters with a yellow stripe
C5: red letters without stripe
C6: red letters with a red stripe
For the 2025 season, Pirelli is introducing a new tyre compound: the C6, which will serve as the softest compound in their range. This new compound is designed specifically for street circuits and tracks with low tyre loads. The C1 compound remains the hardest option and is quite similar to the 2024 version. The C2 compound is now slightly closer to the C3 in terms of construction, while the C3 continues to be the most versatile tyre, with no significant changes from the last two seasons. The C4 and C5 compounds have been improved to reduce issues like graining and degradation, making them more durable and effective during races.
Tyre choices of F1 teams
For the test in Bahrain, each team may choose up to 35 sets of tyres, of which a total of 30 may be used. Bahrain is known as a circuit that is tough on tyres, so the three hardest compounds are usually chosen during the Grand Prix. The C3 is by far the most popular tyre for testing, partly because, like 2024, it is taken to most races. This year, however, the C3 could be completely absent from some races as a new compound has been added.
Mercedes has chosen the most sets of the C3 (27), while Williams is taking just 15. For the C2, the roles are reversed: Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon each have 12 sets of this compound, while George Russell and Kimi Antonelli only have two.
Ferrari and Williams are the only teams to have opted to run with all six available compounds, meaning they only have one set of C5 and C6. In contrast, Aston Martin and Alpine are limited to the three hardest compounds. Aston Martin and Haas are also playing it safe in terms of weather: the British stable is bringing three sets of intermediates, while the American team has chosen one set of intermediates and one set of full wets. However, there is no chance of rain during the test days.
All 10 F1 teams will be on track during the test sessions, which will take place from 26 to 28 February. Each test day will be divided into two sessions: a morning session and an afternoon session. The morning sessions start at 07:00 GMT and end at 11:00. After an hour's break, the afternoon sessions will start, lasting from 12:00 to 16:00 GMT.
This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon
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