Tag: 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix

Pirelli confirms Sepang tyre allocation for rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix

Following last weekend’s dramatic race in Azerbaijan, Formula 1 teams and drivers will travel to the Sepang International Circuit for the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix. Pirelli has confirmed that the C2 hard, C3 medium and C4 soft compounds will be available for the event, marking the tyre supplier’s selection for Formula 1’s return to Malaysia after a nine-year absence.

The hard tyre will be marked in white, the medium in yellow and the soft in red. Drivers will have two sets of hard tyres, three sets of mediums and eight sets of softs. The green intermediate and blue full wet tyres will also be available if weather conditions require them.

An additional set of soft tyres has been reserved for drivers who reach Q3 in qualifying. If the race takes place in dry conditions, every driver must use at least two different slick compounds, maintaining the strategic tyre requirement used across Formula 1 events.

Sepang conditions expected to test tyre management

Pirelli expects Sepang to generate medium energy levels through the tyres, with the circuit’s severity considered comparable to Spa-Francorchamps and Shanghai. Ambient and track temperatures are expected to play a significant role in tyre management, while thermal degradation could become one of the defining factors across the weekend.

“It is a track that generates medium energy levels through the tyres, placing it in a severity range comparable to Spa-Francorchamps and Shanghai,” Pirelli’s weekend preview reads. “Ambient and track temperatures will be an important factor in tyre management, making thermal degradation one of the key variables throughout the weekend.

“For the return to Kuala Lumpur, Pirelli has selected the C2, C3 and C4 compounds, designated respectively as hard, medium and soft. This choice is slightly more aggressive than the harder trio that would have represented a more conservative option given the characteristics of the circuit. The objective is to provide teams with a broader strategic range and create conditions in which the time difference between one-stop and two-stop strategies is reduced.”

Sepang has a relatively abrasive surface, with roughness comparable to Bahrain, although the Malaysian circuit retains its own distinctive characteristics. Grip levels are expected to be low on Friday before improving as the track evolves throughout the weekend. Teams will also need to manage temperatures across both axles.

Recent resurfacing adds to teams’ uncertainty

The circuit has undergone several changes in recent years. The section between Turns 6 and 12 was resurfaced in 2023, while further work was completed around Turn 9. However, Pirelli engineers assessed the overall surface characteristics a few weeks ago and found them to remain broadly similar to those recorded in 2017.

“The circuit has undergone several changes in recent years. In 2023, the section between Turns 6 and 12 was resurfaced, with further work carried out in the area around Turn 9. However, the overall characteristics of the surface, as assessed by Pirelli engineers just a few weeks ago, remain very similar to those recorded in 2017.

“More recently, from the beginning of September, additional surface levelling work was carried out to remove irregularities in the asphalt, alongside cleaning operations aimed at improving track conditions ahead of the World Championship event.

Despite the venue’s history, teams will have limited directly relevant data for the current generation of Formula 1 cars. The lack of comparable references means the Friday practice sessions will carry more importance than usual as drivers adapt to a circuit many have experienced only in the simulator.

“Teams will also have to contend with a lack of available data. Despite being a historic venue, no team possesses truly relevant references relating to the current generation of Formula 1 cars.

“As a result, Friday practice sessions will be more important than usual, both for drivers, who will need to familiarise themselves with a circuit that many have only experienced in the simulator, and for teams, which must identify the correct car balance and assess tyre behaviour.”

Why This Matters

The C2, C3 and C4 selection gives teams a broader range of dry-weather tyre strategies at a circuit where abrasion, heat and evolving grip could significantly influence performance. Pirelli’s aim is to reduce the time difference between one-stop and two-stop strategies, potentially giving teams more strategic options during the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix.

With limited data from the current Formula 1 era and recent surface work at Sepang, Friday running will be crucial for establishing car balance, understanding tyre behaviour and determining how quickly the track conditions develop. Further information about Pirelli’s Formula 1 tyres is available at pirelli.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which tyres will Pirelli provide at the Sepang Grand Prix?

Pirelli will provide the C2 hard, C3 medium and C4 soft slick compounds, along with green intermediate and blue full wet tyres for changing conditions.

How many tyres will each Formula 1 driver receive?

Each driver will receive two sets of hard tyres, three sets of medium tyres and eight sets of soft tyres. An extra set of soft tyres is reserved for drivers who reach Q3 in qualifying.

Why will Friday practice be especially important at Sepang?

Teams have little relevant data from the current generation of Formula 1 cars at Sepang. Drivers must reacquaint themselves with the circuit, while teams need to establish the correct car balance and evaluate tyre behaviour.