Pirelli offers a range of five slick compounds, numbered C1 (hardest) to C5 (softest). Each compound offers a different balance between pure performance and durability.

Pirelli F1 2025 Tyre Range: Soft (Red), Medium (Yellow), Hard (White), Intermediate (Green), Wet (Blue)

Compound Logic

The softer a tyre, the more immediate grip it offers. The soft rubber literally "sticks" to the asphalt, allowing faster lap times. In return, this superior grip comes with accelerated wear: the tyre degrades faster and loses performance.

Conversely, a hard tyre sacrifices initial grip for extended lifespan. Teams can complete more laps without stopping, but with slightly slower lap times.

2025 Compound Table

Selection per Grand Prix

For each Grand Prix, Pirelli selects three compounds from the five available. This selection depends on circuit characteristics:

High abrasion circuits (Bahrain, Barcelona, Singapore): C1, C2, C3

• Rough asphalt wears tyres quickly
• Hard compounds are necessary to go the distance

Low abrasion circuits (Monaco, Hungary): C3, C4, C5

• Smooth surface preserves rubber
• Soft compounds maximise grip in slow corners

Mixed circuits (Silverstone, Monza): C2, C3, C4

• Balance between long straights and fast corners
• Maximum strategic flexibility

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To allow spectators to instantly identify compounds used, Pirelli uses a colour system on tyre sidewalls.

Race Colour Code

Regardless of compound selection for the weekend, the three selected tyres always carry the same colours:

Concrete example: At Monaco, where Pirelli brings C3, C4 and C5:

• C3 carries the white band (weekend hard)
• C4 carries the yellow band (weekend medium)
• C5 carries the red band (weekend soft)

Wet Weather Tyres

In addition to slicks, Pirelli supplies two types of grooved tyres:

Wet tyres are taller and wider than slicks to maximise contact area and water evacuation.

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Tyre management is at the heart of Formula 1 strategy. Two main tactics dominate team pitwall: undercut and overcut.

The Undercut: Attack First

The undercut involves pitting before your direct rival. The objective: benefit from fresh tyres to set a very fast out lap and emerge ahead.

How it works:

1. Driver A pits on lap 15
2. He fits fresh tyres (e.g., fresh mediums)
3. His out lap is 2-3 seconds faster thanks to fresh rubber
4. Driver B, still on track with worn tyres, loses time
5. When B pits on lap 16-17, A is already ahead

When undercut works:

• On circuits where tyres degrade quickly
• When the gap between fresh and worn tyres is significant
• If on-track traffic is limited

The Overcut: Stay Out

The overcut is the reverse strategy: staying on track longer than your rival to benefit from clean air.

How it works:

1. Driver A pits on lap 15
2. Driver B stays out
3. B benefits from clean air and can push worn tyres
4. A's in lap (lap before stop) is often slow (tyre management)
5. B pits later and emerges ahead thanks to time gained

When overcut works:

• On circuits where tyres hold up well
• When pace difference between fresh and worn tyres is small
• If the driver ahead struggles to warm new tyres

One or Two-Stop Strategies

The choice depends on circuit, tyre degradation and race position. At Monaco, where overtaking is nearly impossible, teams often prefer a single stop. At Bahrain, two stops are frequent to maintain high pace.

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F1 tyres undergo extreme stresses causing different types of degradation. Understanding these phenomena is crucial for engineers and spectators alike.

Graining: Surface Wear

Graining occurs when the tyre surface tears into small rubber grains. These grains remain stuck to the tyre and reduce grip.

Causes:

• Tyres too cold, below their operating window
• Too aggressive driving on cold tyres
• Low abrasion asphalt that doesn't clear grains

Consequences:

• Progressive grip loss
• Lap times degraded by 0.5 to 1.5 seconds
• Recovery possible if grains are cleared

Blistering: Overheating Blisters

Blistering appears as blisters on the tread. These bubbles are caused by overheating of the tyre's inner layer.

Causes:

• Temperatures too high in the tyre
• Inadequate inflation pressure
• Repeated high-energy corners

Consequences:

• Irreversible degradation
• Major grip loss
• Puncture risk if not managed

The Operating Window

Each compound has an optimal temperature range called the "operating window":

Below this window, the tyre doesn't grip properly (graining risk). Above, it overheats and degrades prematurely (blistering risk).

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Tyre changing in Formula 1 is a precision choreography involving over 20 mechanics. The best teams complete stops in under 2 seconds.

Pit Stop Team Composition

Pit Stop Records

Penalties and Incidents

A poorly executed stop can cost the race:

• Unsafe release: Releasing the car when a tyre isn't secured (5 seconds penalty minimum)
• Loose wheel: Car must stop immediately (likely retirement)
• Pit lane collision: Variable penalty depending on severity

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In 2022, Formula 1 made a major transition: moving from 13-inch to 18-inch rims. This change transformed car behaviour.

Why 18 Inches?

Reasons for change:

• Alignment with automotive industry (most road cars use 17-19 inch rims)
• Better technological relevance for tyre manufacturers
• Modern and aggressive aesthetics

Impact on Driving

Drivers had to adapt their style: with more rigid sidewalls, the tyre forgives fewer driving errors.

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How much does a Formula 1 tyre cost?

A Pirelli Formula 1 tyre costs around €2,500 each. For a Grand Prix weekend, each team has 13 sets of slick tyres (52 tyres), plus 4 sets of intermediates and 3 sets of wet tyres. The tyre budget for a complete season exceeds €2 million per team.

Why aren't F1 tyres reused?

Formula 1 tyres are designed for maximum performance over a limited duration. After a race, the rubber has undergone thermal and mechanical stresses that irreversibly alter its structure. Additionally, FIA imposes strict rules: each set of tyres can only be used in a single session. However, Pirelli recycles 100% of used tyres.

What's the difference between F1 tyres and road tyres?

F1 tyres operate at temperatures of 90-140°C, compared to 20-40°C for road tyres. They offer 3 to 4 times superior grip but wear out within a few dozen kilometres. A road tyre lasts an average of 50,000 km. The chemical composition is radically different: F1 tyres use special polymers and resins optimised for pure performance.

Why do teams use tyre blankets?

Tyre blankets preheat tyres to around 70-80°C before installation. This allows faster reaching of the optimal operating window and avoids graining on the first out lap. Note: the FIA plans to progressively ban tyre blankets to reduce costs and environmental footprint.

How does Pirelli choose compounds for each Grand Prix?

Pirelli analyses data from previous seasons, team simulations and circuit characteristics (abrasiveness, corner types, expected temperatures). The selection is announced approximately two weeks before each Grand Prix. Teams can then develop their strategies based on the three available compounds.

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Pirelli tyres are Formula 1's best-kept yet most visible secret. Every Sunday, victory is fought on these four rubber circles. Discover our other technical features on ground effect and DRS to deepen your understanding of modern F1.