TYRE PREVIEW: Pirelli brings the softest compounds to Abu Dhabi

Pirelli will bring the three softest compounds to the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but expects that the red-walled rubber will only come to play in the qualifying session.

The Abu Dhabi weekend brings the curtain down on the longest ever Formula 1 season, during which the sport travelled the world taking in 24 rounds.

To date, the Yas Marina circuit has hosted motor racing’s blue riband category 15 times, twelve of them rounding off the year. On four occasions this Grand Prix has decided the outcome of one or both championship titles, in 2021 the two of them and in 2010, 2014 and 2016, just the Drivers’. This Sunday’s race will decide who takes the 2024 Constructors’ crown, McLaren or Ferrari.

Similar to last year, Pirelli has chosen its three softest compounds for the event, with the C3 as Hard, the C4 as Medium and the C5 as Soft. The red-banded tyres will most probably only feature in qualifying, while Pirelli expects the two other compounds, the medium and hard rubber to be under the spotlight in the race.

As for the track layout, the track has been famous for its stop-and-go nature. However, it went through significant changes in 2021, which has made the 5.281 kilometre track much faster and flowing, with several overtaking opportunities.

In general, the forces exerted on the tyres are in the medium to low range, because of the lack of high speed corners. The surface offers little grip and its level of abrasiveness is average for the season.

Temperatures will play an important role, with two of the three free practice sessions taking place in daylight, while FP2 and the race get underway at sunset with all of qualifying taking place at night. Therefore, track conditions can change quickly as temperatures drop and they will also evolve rapidly as the track rubbers in, especially on the first two days, helped by the fact there are three support categories on the card this weekend – F4 UAE, F1 Academy and F2.

On a track where graining could have a significant impact and where, as previously mentioned, overtaking is possible, a two-stop strategy certainly seems preferable, as indeed was the case last year. Furthermore, the undercut is very effective and, in order for a one-stop to work, it requires a great deal of tyre management to limit performance drop off.