Pirelli expects a wide variety of strategies for the Bahrain Grand Prix

Having experienced high thermal degradation across the Friday practice sessions, Formula One's sole tyre manufacturer Pirelli expects that multiple strategies might come into play at today's Bahrain Grand Prix.

Oscar Piastri took the second pole position of his career, his second in a row no less, having been quickest at Suzuka a week ago. The Australian was the only driver to get under the 1’30” barrier with a time of 1’29”841, but that was still over half a second off last year’s pole time, 0”662 to be precise, which shows how much this weekend’s higher temperatures compared to 2024, are affecting performance.

Because of a one place grid penalty given to both Mercedes drivers, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start alongside Piastri, having been third quickest in qualifying in 1’30”175. Russell (1’30”009) now moves back to the second row, alongside Pierre Gasly (1’30”216) in the Alpine, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli (1’30”213) is fifth on the grid.

As was the case in Suzuka a few days ago, the teams will have a choice of the three hardest compounds in Pirelli’s 2025 range at this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix, namely the C1 as Hard, the C2 as Medium and the C3 as Soft. However, the Sakhir track characteristics and the temperatures, will require a different approach to that adopted last week in Japan.

In qualifying, all drivers used the C3, which in these conditions and on this track surface produced their maximum performance on the first flying laps, without any possibility of recovering.

In terms of the usage of dry weather compounds, the pattern this weekend has been slightly unusual compared to the norm, with many different choices: eleven drivers have two sets of Mediums and one set of Hards available, eight have one each of the Medium and Hard and Verstappen is the only driver to have two sets of Hard and one of Medium.

Pirelli's motorsport director Mario Isola has revealed that the Milan-based company expects teams to base their strategy around a two-stop approach given the high thermal degradation in Manama.

“We saw a far more uncertain and closely contested session than had been expected, proving just how unpredictable Formula 1 can be at times. From a race strategy perspective, the picture is actually more complex than it might seem at first glance.

“The first points is that all three tyre compounds can come into play and although a one-stop is clearly slower on paper, it cannot be ruled out completely, especially as eleven drivers have one new set of each of the Hard and Medium. This group might consider starting on the Mediums and extending the first stint as much as possible, before switching to the Hards.

"If there is excessive degradation in the closing stages of the race then, switching to Softs, even new ones for those who did not take part in all three qualifying sessions, could offer a performance advantage, with no need for further stops.

“For a two-stop strategy, on paper the fastest route involves using two sets of Mediums and one of Hards, with pit stop windows between laps 14 and 20 and then again between laps 34 and 40. Those who want to make the most of having extra grip from the Soft for the start will need to pit earlier, between laps 10 and 16 to make the most of the potential undercut advantage, which is very effective at this track.

"Finally, there’s the option to use all three compounds, for example for those who only have one new set each of the Hard and Medium available.”