TYRE PREVIEW: Pirelli targets to spice up strategies with softer compounds in action in Jeddah
Formula One's sole tyre manufacturer Pirelli has elected to supply teams with the C3, C4 and C5 compounds at this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, taking a step softer compared to last year's race in Jeddah.
The first triple-header of the 2025 season is coming to an end on the shores of the Red Sea. Jeddah is a port city in Saudi Arabia and is regarded as the port of entry for pilgrims heading to Mecca, as well as being a major commercial centre and cultural hub, known for its modern waterfront and the historic Al-Balad district.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix first appeared on the calendar in December 2021, with the next three events taking place in March, and this year will be the first time it is run in April, when temperature, wind and humidity levels will be more similar to those experienced in summer, which could have an impact on track action this weekend.
After the choice of compounds for the first four races of this season were the same as last year’s, Formula One's sole tyre manufacturer Pirelli elected to take a softer step for Jeddah, with the C3 as Hard, the C4 as Medium and the C5 as Soft being the trio available this weekend.
The Milan-based tyre supplier has noted that the choice "is in line with the aim, shared with the FIA, F1 and the teams, to create more strategy choices for the race and therefore more exciting and unpredictable racing."
In the four previous editions of this Grand Prix, the one-stop has always dominated, both in terms of its effectiveness and team preference, even when a Safety Car mixed things up a bit more.
As for the strategy, all signs point to a possible one-stop strategy on Sunday. Last year's race in Jeddah saw the majority of the field pit only once. The only exception was Sauber's Valtteri Bottas who opted to pit twice
The vast majority started on the C3 (Medium), switching to the C2 (Hard) for the second stint. Oliver Bearman, who made his F1 debut with Ferrari at last year's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and Bottas were the only drivers to try and make the most of the extra grip available from starting on the C4 (Soft), while three - Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and Zhou Guanyu - lengthened their first stint as much as possible on the Medium before switching to the Soft, proving that it too was a viable race tyre.
