The 4.940-kilometre track features the typical characteristics of a street circuit, with barriers close to the racing line and limited overtaking opportunities. However, the changes introduced in 2023 to the third sector increased the number of high-speed sections, making the lap smoother and faster than in the past. Despite the presence of some straights, the circuit remains defined by numerous braking and traction phases thanks to its 19 corners, allowing modern power units to recover energy throughout the lap.

Marina Bay has a medium-to-high level of surface roughness for a street circuit, both in terms of macro- and micro-roughness. As no resurfacing work has been carried out, values are expected to be broadly in line with last season's, if not slightly higher. Track evolution will be significant over the course of the weekend. Intermittent rainfall, typical of the equatorial climate, will also influence grip levels and can alter conditions from one session to the next.

As is well known, the race takes place at night, with track temperatures ranging between 30 and 35 °C. Under these conditions, the tyres tend to operate within their working window without any particular overheating concerns. Mechanical stress is not especially high and the expected degradation will mainly be linked to the normal performance drop-off of the rear axle during traction phases. Graining and wear are also not expected to become limiting factors in race management.

For these reasons, from a strategic perspective Singapore remains one of the races in which a one-stop strategy is the preferred option for teams, also considering the time lost in the pit lane and the frequent likelihood of neutralisations. While Hard and Medium are once again expected to be the reference compounds for the race, this year the Soft could receive greater consideration on Sunday from more than one team.

The softest compound in the range has demonstrated at Budapest, Monza and Baku, where it was used, that it allows drivers to maintain a strong pace thanks to limited degradation, while also offering an advantage in terms of grip and confidence behind the wheel. These characteristics could prove even more valuable on a circuit such as Singapore, which is also known for its significant track evolution.

The latest-generation cars also appear to make better use of the softer compounds. Aerodynamic load, more effective temperature management and the formulation of the current compounds allow the softer end of the range to be used for longer and more competitive stints than in the past. With this in mind, it would come as no surprise to see the red-sidewalled tyre used in Saturday’s Sprint or, more generally, to witness more extensive use of the C5 throughout the weekend, encouraged by the Sprint format itself.

IN 2025

Medium and Soft were the two compounds chosen by teams for the opening part of the race, with 14 drivers starting on the C4 and the remainder on the C5. The Hard was ruled out because the track was still damp following the rain that had fallen earlier in the afternoon. The C3 then became the preferred compound for the second stint. Almost the entire grid completed a one-stop race, with only three drivers opting for a two-stop strategy.

STATISTICS

The upcoming race will be the seventeenth edition of the Singapore Grand Prix. The event has been held continuously since 2008, with the only interruption caused by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The drivers with the most victories on the Marina Bay street circuit are Sebastian Vettel (5) and Lewis Hamilton (4), both of whom have started from pole position four times. Among the constructors, Mercedes leads the way with five victories.

PODIUM CAP

The cap that drivers will wear on the podium of the Singapore Grand Prix will feature an orchid-inspired design. This flower is particularly celebrated in Singapore for its ability to thrive in conditions of heat, humidity and heavy rainfall, turning fragility into resilience. The special edition Pirelli Podium Cap is produced by Pirelli Design and signed by designer Denis Dekovic. The special edition is already available for purchase on Pirelli's e-commerce platform: https://store.pirelli.com.

The Bahrain Grand Prix was full of incidents, starting with a delayed start. Race Control postponed the start due to standing water in several corners of the circuit. When the race finally got under way, still in difficult conditions, there was significant variation in tyre choices: nine drivers opted for Intermediates, while the remainder of the field selected either Softs or Mediums.

From the opening laps it was clear that the track was still too wet for slick tyres. A further six drivers therefore quickly pitted to switch to Intermediates. After nine laps, the Safety Car was deployed following Valtteri Bottas’ off-track excursion. At the restart, with the asphalt almost dry, all drivers returned to action on slick tyres. Over the course of the race, every compound in the range was used except the Full Wet.

Verstappen quickly built a margin over the two Mercedes drivers but saw his advantage wiped out by a Virtual Safety Car that was later upgraded to a full Safety Car. The Red Bull driver had in fact stopped ten laps before the neutralisation to fit a set of Softs. Both he and Kimi Antonelli, who eventually finished second, took advantage of the VSC to make an additional stop and fit another set of used Softs.

In the closing laps, Verstappen managed to hold off Antonelli and secure the victory. Lewis Hamilton finished third for Ferrari. The Ferrari driver was one of the few not to use Intermediates, choosing instead to start directly on Softs, on which he completed 31 laps. He then switched to a used set of Mediums before making a final stop during the Virtual Safety Car period for a set of used Softs, which he ran to the chequered flag.

Antonelli therefore followed an Intermediate-Medium-Soft-Soft strategy, while Verstappen opted for Intermediate-Soft-Soft-Soft, with Hamilton completing the race on Soft-Medium-Soft. The Sepang podium therefore featured three drivers from three different teams, each using a different strategy.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“Sepang provided the first real opportunity this season to see significant use of the Intermediate tyre. In the conditions encountered today, its performance was positive, delivering a high level of grip and consistent performance throughout its stint length. In the closing laps, as the track continued to dry, a slight amount of graining appeared on the wet-weather tyres, although there were no particular wear concerns despite the highly abrasive surface.

The environmental conditions played a decisive role in the Malaysian Grand Prix. Temperatures were noticeably lower than those recorded in previous days and, following the downpour before the start, the track remained damp for much of the race. This helped keep tyre temperatures under control and reduced thermal degradation.

In this scenario, the Soft proved particularly competitive, enabling very long stints and delivering consistent performance, helped by teams gradually bringing it into the operating window tested on Friday. Some drivers managed to cover almost half the race on the softest compound, while the neutralisations prompted many teams to opt for the C4 in the closing stages. Both the Hard and Medium also displayed consistent and predictable behaviour, albeit with lower grip levels than the Soft, confirming themselves as viable options for both the frontrunning teams and those in the midfield.”

Isack Hadjar finished FP2 in second place with a time of 1:37.627, while Lando Norris recorded the third-fastest lap with a 1:37.665. The reigning World Champion ran exclusively on the C4, the Soft compound for this weekend, using two sets during the second hour of running. Hadjar and Leclerc also set their best laps on a set of Soft tyres, although both drivers additionally used a set of Mediums during the session. No driver ran on the Hard compound today.

During the second half of FP2, every team focused exclusively on race pace work. Tyre management is expected to play a crucial role on Sunday and, for that reason, teams sought to gather as much data as possible ahead of the Grand Prix.

In FP1, held in slightly cooler conditions than those seen in the afternoon, almost the entire field split its programme between Soft and Medium tyres. Only Max Verstappen, Isack Hadjar, Arvid Lindblad and Franco Colapinto ran exclusively on the red-marked compound.

Verstappen ended the day at the top of the combined classification thanks to the 1:37.520 he set on the C4 during FP1. In the opening hour of running, the Dutchman completed 16 laps on his second set of Softs and seven on the first.

George Russell set the second-fastest time with a 1:37.903, recording his benchmark lap on Soft tyres after completing an 18-lap stint on a single set of Mediums. Hadjar finished third with a 1:38.303 and, like his team-mate, focused exclusively on evaluating the Soft compound, covering eight laps on the first set and 15 on the second.

SIMONE BERRA – PIRELLI CHIEF ENGINEER

“Track conditions played a decisive role in tyre behaviour throughout this opening day at Sepang. From the outset, grip levels were low due to dust on the surface and a particularly abrasive track that requires a significant amount of rubbering-in before it can deliver its full potential.

This had a clear impact on track evolution and lap times, to the extent that Friday’s fastest lap remained virtually unchanged between FP1 and FP2. The benchmark time was more than four seconds slower than the qualifying simulation reference, a mark that the cars may struggle to approach tomorrow.

The sessions were also characterised by high thermal degradation, generated by tyre sliding and the nature of the track surface, with a significant impact particularly during the long runs.

The absence of the forecast rain during FP2 allowed teams to complete a number of race simulations, enabling us to gather substantial data on the C3 and C4 compounds, which displayed very similar levels of performance in terms of both pace and degradation.

At times, the Soft proved more consistent than the Medium because its higher level of grip helps limit sliding and, consequently, heat generation. The performance delta between the two compounds is around half a second, in line with expectations. The Hard remains an unknown quantity, however, as teams chose not to use it and instead preserve their available sets for the race.

With degradation levels similar to those seen today, performance drop-off is between two and three tenths of a second per lap. As a result, Sunday’s race could be shaped by two or more pit stops, which was precisely the outcome we hoped to encourage through the compound selection for this event. Before defining a more precise scenario, however, it will be necessary to carry out a further analysis of the data collected throughout the day.”

Located just a few kilometres from Kuala Lumpur, the circuit is 5.543 km long and combines lengthy straights with a series of high-speed corners, particularly concentrated in the middle sector. It is a track that generates medium energy levels through the tyres, placing it in a severity range comparable to Spa-Francorchamps and Shanghai. 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 features a relatively abrasive surface, with a level of roughness comparable to Bahrain, while retaining its own distinctive characteristics. Grip levels are likely to be low on Friday but should improve progressively over the course of the weekend as the track evolves. One of the main challenges facing teams will be thermal management across both axles.

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.

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.

While there is no shortage of technical unknowns, the weather could add a further layer of complexity. Afternoon thunderstorms are a regular feature of the region in early October and could affect any session during the weekend. Intense heat, high humidity and sudden downpours have always been among the defining characteristics of the Malaysian Grand Prix during its years as a permanent fixture on the Formula 1 calendar.

STATISTICS

The upcoming event will be the twentieth Grand Prix held at Sepang, which was part of the Formula 1 calendar from 1999 to 2017. The driver with the most victories in Kuala Lumpur is Sebastian Vettel, with four wins, one more than Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso. Schumacher also shares the record for pole positions at the Malaysian circuit with Lewis Hamilton, with both drivers having started from pole five times. Among the teams, Scuderia Ferrari holds the record with seven victories.

During the opening stint, Russell managed to build a significant gap over the chasing pack. However, after two Safety Car periods, Verstappen fought his way back into second place. From that point onwards, the Red Bull driver piled pressure on the Briton, remaining consistently within a second of the lead. In the end, Russell held firm and kept Verstappen behind all the way to the chequered flag, crossing the line just one tenth of a second ahead.

The pair finished the race on the Soft compound after starting from the grid on the C4, while Hadjar opted for an alternative strategy, beginning the race on the C5 and finishing on the Medium. All three podium finishers took advantage of the first Safety Car period to make their pit stop.

The entire field used a combination of the two softest compounds, with 12 drivers opting to start on the Medium and 10 on the Soft. The C4 and C5 were used almost equally throughout the race, with 49% of laps completed on the Medium and 51% on the Soft.

Kimi Antonelli, who finished fifth, retains the lead of the FIA Formula One World Championship standings on 302 points. Thanks to this victory, Russell has significantly reduced the gap and now trails his team-mate by just 66 points.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“Today’s race largely confirmed our pre-race expectations. The Soft and Medium compounds proved to be the most effective choices, to the extent that the grid was split almost evenly between the two options at the start, regardless of starting position, with some teams differentiating tyre selection between their drivers. Many teams attempted to extend the opening stint in the hope of benefiting from a race neutralisation, a scenario that ultimately materialised.

From a tyre behaviour standpoint, the extremely low degradation observed over the previous days was once again evident during the Grand Prix. Both the C4 and C5 displayed very low wear levels, with no significant graining, allowing drivers to maintain a strong pace for most of the race.

In these conditions, the Soft provided an advantage in terms of grip and driver confidence, particularly noticeable on a demanding circuit such as Baku, to the point that it proved to be the most competitive race tyre. A clear example was provided by the two Red Bull drivers who, despite having identical machinery but opposite strategies, saw the driver on the red-marked tyre deliver the stronger performance.

Overall, drivers were able to push from start to finish with very limited tyre management, focusing mainly on bringing the front axle back into the operating window after the various restarts following neutralisations, in order to avoid lock-ups and braking errors, incidents that nevertheless still occurred. The Hard compound, meanwhile, played no role in the race, as the performance of the other two compounds never made a more conservative option necessary.”

Rafael Camara won the second Feature Race of the weekend in Baku. The Brazilian driver took the chequered flag in second position but knew that Alexander Dunne was set to receive a time penalty. A five-second sanction dropped Dunne to third in the final classification despite crossing the line first. Nikola Tsolov therefore inherited second place, allowing the top three contenders in the championship battle to occupy the entire podium at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Camara now leads the standings on 207 points, closely followed by Tsolov on 200, while Dunne sits third with 189 points.

Russell set the lap that earned him pole on his third flying run in Q3, using the same set of Soft tyres throughout the decisive session. Both the Mercedes driver and Leclerc used only three sets of the red-banded compound during qualifying, managing to extract multiple competitive laps from each set. Piastri, by contrast, used four different sets of C5 tyres.

During FP3, twelve drivers split their programme between the Medium and Soft compounds, while the rest of the field focused exclusively on the C5. Everyone completed significant mileage to fine-tune car setup ahead of qualifying.

Max Verstappen set the benchmark in FP3 with a 1:43.922. George Russell finished second on 1:44.021, with Lewis Hamilton third on 1:44.033. Verstappen and Russell began their programmes on the Medium compound before switching to the Soft, while Hamilton ran exclusively on the C5, using two new sets during the session. All three drivers set their fastest times on the softest compound in the range.

While track temperatures reached 40°C during FP3, with wind gusts between 30 and 35 km/h, the figure steadily declined during qualifying, falling to around 30°C by the end of the hour-long session. Ambient temperatures remained relatively stable throughout the day, hovering around 25°C.

The Pirelli Pole Position Award was presented by Casey Stoner, the two-time MotoGP World Champion who claimed titles in 2007 and 2011. The Australian retired from competition in 2012 after contesting 178 Grands Prix and securing 89 podium finishes.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“Today's conditions were, as expected, significantly different from yesterday's, with lower air and track temperatures and strong winds that contributed to making the cars less stable, particularly at the rear. At the start of FP3, the track was very dirty and offered limited grip, to the point that lap times were slower than those recorded in yesterday's session. Drivers spent the first hour building confidence with the circuit and refining car setup ahead of qualifying.

Track evolution was significant throughout the day, allowing lap times to improve consistently and eventually reach the levels predicted by qualifying simulations. The absence of meaningful degradation enabled teams to push for multiple consecutive runs on the same set of Soft tyres, benefiting from track evolution, lower fuel loads and improved tyre operating conditions. It was therefore no surprise that several drivers, including pole-sitter Russell, set their fastest laps on the third attempt using the same set.

The data gathered so far confirms that a one-stop strategy remains the most competitive option. Combinations involving the Medium and Soft compounds appear particularly effective given the limited wear levels observed. The use of the Hard compound in the second stint could become an alternative worth considering should an early neutralisation occur.”

Friday at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix featured a double-header for the Formula 2 Championship. The morning Sprint Race was won by Dino Beganovic, ahead of Laurens van Hoepen in second place and Alexander Dunne in third. All three drivers on the podium completed the entire race on the Soft compound.

Later in the afternoon, the field returned to the track for the 28-lap Feature Race. Victory went to Alexander Dunne, who started on Supersoft tyres before making the scheduled switch to the Soft compound. A subsequent red flag allowed him to fit another new set of Softs and secure the win. Martinius Stenshorne crossed the line in second place, while Dino Beganovic completed the top three.

Thanks to his victory and podium finish from the morning race, Dunne has reignited his title challenge. He now sits third in the standings, just eight points behind championship leader Rafael Camara. Nikola Tsolov occupies second place, only one point behind Camara. The second Feature Race of the Baku weekend is scheduled for Saturday.

All three drivers used both the Medium and Soft compounds during the session, setting their best times on the softer tyre. It was an approach adopted by most of the field, with only a few exceptions. The two McLaren drivers and Franco Colapinto paired a set of Hards with a set of Softs, while Aston Martin focused its programme exclusively on the C5.

During FP2, air temperatures remained around 31°C, while track temperature peaked at 44.8°C. Even higher values had been recorded during the first session, when the track reached 47.6°C. Wind also played a significant role in FP1, a characteristic feature of the Azerbaijani circuit, with gusts of up to 25 km/h.

In the morning session, the majority of mileage was completed on the Hard tyre, corresponding to the C3 compound this weekend. Only Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Franco Colapinto began their running on the Medium, while all the other drivers started their programmes on the hardest compound.

As the session progressed, 12 drivers switched to the Soft. The fastest time of the morning was set by George Russell, who recorded a 1:45.387 on the C5. Max Verstappen also set his best lap on the Soft compound, while Charles Leclerc finished third using the Medium.

SIMONE BERRA – PIRELLI CHIEF ENGINEER

“It was a first day heavily influenced by a particularly dirty track, with dust even on the racing line, resulting in very significant track evolution. Lap times improved consistently throughout the day, with differences of up to two seconds between the two sessions. Compared to last year, the track surface appeared less favourable, particularly affecting the tyre warm-up phase.

Teams focused their work on car set-up in order to bring the tyres into the correct operating window, especially on the front axle. This proved to be crucial both for maximising single-lap performance, which was often achieved only after several attempts, and for limiting the risk of braking lock-ups.

The teams generally completed an intensive programme of work with all three compounds in preparation for a race that is increasingly expected to be a one-stop affair. Degradation levels were in fact very low, and track evolution almost completely offset tyre wear during some long runs, making lap times progressively quicker. We did not observe any graining, which is an interesting finding considering the very smooth track surface. In terms of lap time performance, the data indicates deltas broadly in line with simulations: around half a second between the C4 and C5, and a few tenths between the C3 and C4.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, with lower temperatures and stronger wind gusts forecast, tyre preparation will once again be a key factor. The track will offer more grip than today, but teams will need to manage traffic and generate as much energy as possible in the tyres. For Saturday’s Grand Prix, all compounds remain theoretically viable, although the two softer options may take on a more prominent role in light of the expected drop in temperatures.”

Alongside the traditional Sprint Race, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend features a special schedule with two Formula 2 Feature Races. Drivers therefore took part in two separate qualifying sessions on Thursday. In Qualifying 1, Alex Dunne secured pole position with a time of 1:55.383. This pole determines the grid for the first Feature Race and for the Sprint Race, which will use the traditional partially reversed-grid format. Martinius Stenshorne qualified second with a 1:55.416, while Noël León took third with a 1:55.517. In Qualifying 2, which sets the starting order for the second Feature Race of the weekend, Stenshorne turned the tables by setting the fastest time with a 1:55.728. Qualifying 1 pole-sitter Dunne finished second with a 1:54.173, while Rafael Câmara recorded the third-fastest time with a 1:54.227.

Some of the city streets that make up the circuit have been resurfaced. The work has affected sections of Turns 2, 3 and 4. The new asphalt, limited to specific areas, should not influence tyre behaviour which, as is often the case on street circuits, will initially be affected by rather low grip levels. Track evolution over the course of the weekend is instead expected to be significant, thanks to the progressive build-up of rubber on the surface.

For this event, Pirelli has selected the softest range of compounds: C3 as Hard, C4 as Medium and C5 as Soft. Last year, the selection was one step softer and included the C6 as Soft. However, that compound was not used in the race, as drivers preferred to extend their stints and retain greater strategic flexibility by relying on the C5 and C4. This year, the race weekend schedule has been brought forward by one day, with the first two practice sessions taking place on Thursday, qualifying on Friday and the race on Saturday at 15:00 local time.

The asphalt, which is relatively smooth and not very abrasive, should result in very low levels of wear and degradation, making a one-stop race the most likely scenario. The C5 could prove capable of delivering particularly long stints, as seen recently at Monza, a circuit that shares some characteristics with Baku. By contrast, the Hard compound could be overlooked by many teams in the race.

Some graining may occur, particularly during the opening sessions when grip levels are still low, but it is not expected to be a decisive factor in terms of performance.

Despite being a street circuit, Baku places significant loads on the tyres due to the extremely long main straight and the many low-speed acceleration zones. It is a typical stop-and-go layout, where braking stability and the ability to maximise traction on corner exit are crucial. Aerodynamic efficiency is also particularly important and a car with low drag could enjoy a clear advantage.

One of the most interesting tyre-related aspects will be temperature management. The very long full-throttle section linking the final corner to the first promotes tyre cooling, aided by developments in wheel rim design. This phenomenon could increase the risk of lock-ups under heavy braking, particularly on the front axle.

Ambient temperatures could also help keep tyre overheating under control. Despite the generally warm climate, the buildings lining the circuit create numerous shaded areas, limiting any rise in track temperature.

IN 2025

At the start of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, 11 drivers opted for the C5 Medium and nine for the C4 Hard. All drivers completed a one-stop race and the C6 Soft was never used on Sunday. Esteban Ocon, after being forced to pit on the opening lap to replace a damaged front wing, fitted the Medium tyres and completed the entire race distance on that set.

STATISTICS

The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be the tenth to be held on the streets of Baku. Eight editions have been run under the Azerbaijan Grand Prix title and one, in 2016, as the European Grand Prix. Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen are the only drivers to have won more than once in Baku, with two victories each. Red Bull is the most successful team at the venue, with five wins. Charles Leclerc holds the record for the most pole positions, having started from the front of the grid on four occasions.

The podium finishers all opted for a one-stop strategy. Antonelli and Verstappen made their pit stops during a Virtual Safety Car period. Norris had already passed the pitlane entry when the VSC started and, as a result, lost valuable time compared to the other two. Antonelli and Norris switched from Medium to Hard, while Verstappen replaced the Soft tyres he had started on with Hard.

The one-stop strategy was the most popular choice across the grid. Only George Russell, Carlos Sainz, Oliver Bearman, Fernando Alonso and Valtteri Bottas made two pit stops. Temperatures were similar to those seen on previous days. Track temperature peaked at 52°C, while air temperature reached 32°C.

In the championship battle, Antonelli now leads the standings with 292 points, followed by Russell in second place on 211. The next round of the calendar is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, scheduled for Saturday 26 September.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“The teams approached today's race differently from what had been simulated on track on Friday. Thanks also to the opportunity provided by the Virtual Safety Car, they favoured a more measured management of pace and degradation, which allowed them to significantly extend stint lengths and made the one-stop strategy the preferred choice for the majority of the field.

“The star of the Grand Prix was the Hard tyre, a compound that had been little explored during free practice and which today demonstrated a very high level of consistency, proving to be the most robust of the three compounds from both a thermal and mechanical perspective. With the C2, we saw several stints exceeding 45 laps, reaching very high levels of wear without any significant performance drop-off. Both the Medium and the Soft also proved to be effective options despite the track temperatures. The C4, in particular, completed competitive stints comparable to those of the Medium in terms of durability.

“As expected, graining appeared mainly on the front-left tyre, on the inner area of the tread, but with limited intensity. The work carried out by the teams on car set-up and tyre management helped to minimise its effects. In a race characterised by few overtaking opportunities, the drivers were able to focus on tyre management, contributing to a very straightforward contest from a strategic perspective.

“Congratulations to Ugo Ugochukwu for securing the Formula 3 championship title today at the end of a highly competitive season. The series continues to represent an important proving ground for young talents from all over the world. The fact that the title was decided only at the final round highlights the exceptionally high level of competitiveness within the championship, which this year delivered spectacular racing and outstanding sporting value.”

FORMULA 2

Dino Beganovic claimed victory in Sunday’s Formula 2 Feature Race. Alex Dunne crossed the line in second place, while Ritomo Miyata completed the podium in third. All three drivers adopted the same strategy, starting on the Soft compound before switching to Hard tyres. The three podium finishers made their mandatory pit stop on lap 18 and completed the remainder of the race on the Hard compound.

FORMULA 3

Ugo Ugochukwu was crowned Formula 3 World Champion. The driver finished second in the final Feature Race of the season in Madrid, a result that proved sufficient to secure the title. Freddie Slater crossed the line in eighth place, allowing Ugochukwu to move ahead of him in the final championship standings. The season finale was won by Tuukka Taponen, while Pedro Clerot finished third.

Charles Leclerc finished second, 0.113 seconds behind Antonelli, ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who posted a 1:33.811 and narrowly avoided the barriers on the exit of Turn 17. The top three all began the session on a new set of Medium tyres before switching to the Soft compound, on which they set their quickest laps.

Arvid Lindblad, fourth fastest, was also responsible for the session stoppage after crashing into the barriers at Turn 13. George Russell, fifth in FP2, had dominated the opening session with a time of 1:34.077. The first hour of running featured numerous lap times deleted for track limits infringements but no interruptions. Antonelli, who was second in FP1, set the quickest overall Medium-tyre lap of the day during the final hour of running, recording a 1:33.926.

The Medium compound was the most widely used tyre on Friday, accounting for 58% of all laps completed. Oliver Bearman completed the highest mileage on the C3, extracting 23 laps from a single set, while Leclerc holds the benchmark for the C4 after completing 17 laps on one set. The Hard tyre was used only by Gabriel Bortoleto in FP1 and Nico Hülkenberg in FP2, with the German also setting the quickest time on the C2 thanks to a lap of 1:35.746.

Temperatures were high throughout the day, with track temperature peaking at 51°C at the start of the second free practice session, while the air temperature reached 32°C.

SIMONE BERRA – PIRELLI CHIEF ENGINEER

“Today was particularly important as it allowed both us and the teams to gather the first real-world data from a completely new circuit. Unfortunately, the red flag in the middle phase of the second free practice session reduced both the number and length of the long runs, limiting the amount of information available from a race perspective. We observed graining on both the front and rear left tyres, in some cases quite significant, which contributed to accelerating wear on the cars most prone to sliding. Differences between the teams are already becoming apparent in terms of who is able to manage the tyres more effectively over a stint.

“Track conditions were very good from the outset, with grip levels among the highest seen so far this season. The combination of high grip and a very smooth track surface encouraged the onset of graining, although this should ease slightly as the circuit continues to evolve, a trend that was already noticeable throughout the day. The Hard tyre represents the most important option for the race, given degradation levels higher than initially expected and the high temperatures that are forecast to persist over the coming days. The performance gap between the Medium and Soft compounds proved smaller than anticipated, averaging around half a second. Looking ahead to tomorrow’s qualifying session, it will be crucial to maximise the first flying lap in order to avoid the onset of thermal degradation, while carefully managing traffic, which could prove to be a decisive factor around this circuit.”

FORMULA 2

With a time of 1:44.331, Dino Beganovic secured pole position on Friday. Beganovic outpaced Alex Dunne, who was second with a lap of 1:44.561, while third place went to Rafael Camara with a 1:44.853. The Sprint Race is scheduled for Saturday. In Sunday's Feature Race, Beganovic will start from pole position.

FORMULA 3

Taiko Cato and Tuukka Taponen shared the pole positions in the two sessions held today at Madring. The ART Grand Prix driver will start from the front of the grid for Feature Race 1, while the MP Motorsport driver will line up first on the grid for Feature Race 2.

The compounds selected for this event are the C2 as Hard, the C3 as Medium and the C4 as Soft. The start-finish line and Turn 1 are separated by just 200 metres. The first sector is very fast and leads into a second section featuring several medium and low-speed corners, including the banked Turn 12. The final part of the lap also includes a number of 90-degree corners similar to those drivers encounter in Baku.

Pirelli's work to identify the forces that tyres will be subjected to at the Madring began three years ago, when the designers provided the first information on the final layout. Using simulation tools, the trajectories that the cars would follow around the circuit were identified and, consequently, the loads to which the tyres would be exposed were calculated.

Once the circuit had been completed, a group of Pirelli engineers visited the venue to measure the asphalt's macro and micro roughness, refine the simulations and produce a technical briefing document that was shared with the teams to support their preparation for this new event.

From an energy perspective, the Madrid circuit ranks among the five most demanding on the calendar, with lateral forces comparable in intensity to those recorded at Barcelona and Silverstone. The "Monumental" is the corner that generates the highest vertical load of the season, not only because of its banking but also because of its length.

Its configuration will also present a significant challenge in terms of tyre grip. Drivers may adopt different approaches when tackling it, depending on how much they wish to prioritise the opportunity to attack into the following corner.

The asphalt is very smooth and therefore offers a relatively low level of grip. For this reason, it has been treated with high-pressure water jets, as is already done at other circuits, including Singapore, to remove dust and oily residues typically associated with newly laid surfaces.

Another distinctive feature of the circuit is its elevation change. The highest point is located at Turn 7, approximately 700 metres above sea level. The section leading up to it, beginning at Turn 6, features an 8% gradient and an elevation gain of 10 metres. The lowest point of the circuit is at Turn 2, with a height difference of 26 metres compared with Turn 7.

In the absence of testing at the new circuit prior to the race weekend, teams will wait until the first free practice session before defining their programme for the following days and their tyre usage strategy for the Grand Prix. Should degradation of the softer compounds prove to be significant, they may decide to preserve sets of Hard tyres for Sunday's race.

As for temperatures, during the same week last year ambient highs reached 29°C. Given the altitude at which the circuit is located, particularly hot conditions are not expected.

STATISTICS

Formula 1 has previously raced in the Madrid region. Between 1968 and 1981, nine editions of the Spanish Grand Prix were held at the Jarama circuit, located 30 kilometres from the capital. The driver with the most victories at the San Sebastián de los Reyes venue is Mario Andretti (2), while Lotus tops the constructors' list with four wins. Looking instead at the Spanish Grand Prix as a whole, which has been staged 55 times across five different circuits, the most successful drivers are Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, with six victories each, while Ferrari leads the constructors' standings with 12 wins.

PIRELLI PODIUM CAP SPECIAL EDITION

The Madrid podium cap features a completely white crown. This special Podium Cap, created by designer Denis Dekovic for Pirelli Design, features the seven stars of Ursa Major beneath the peak, one of the most recognisable symbols of the Spanish capital. The cap is already available for purchase on Pirelli’s e-commerce platform: https://store.pirelli.com.

A red flag after the third lap allowed all drivers to replace the tyres on which they had started the race. Antonelli, who had started on the Hard compound, switched to Mediums during the stoppage. Russell did exactly the opposite, but completed the race on the C3 fitted at that time. Antonelli, meanwhile, adopted a different strategy, taking advantage of the Virtual Safety Car on lap 29 to pit and fit a fresh set of Medium tyres. Verstappen also stopped during the neutralisation period, switching from Mediums to Hards. The Dutchman had started on Softs.

The Grand Prix took place in particularly hot conditions, with air temperatures reaching around 34°C and track temperatures exceeding 50°C. All three compounds were used during the race. Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez completed the highest number of laps on a single set of Soft tyres, covering 24 laps. Yuki Tsunoda, Lewis Hamilton and Gabriel Bortoleto completed the highest number of laps on a single set of Mediums, reaching 50 laps. Seven drivers covered the same distance on a set of Hard tyres.

Thanks to his victory at Monza, Antonelli extended his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship over second-placed George Russell. The Italian now leads the standings with 267 points, while the Briton is second on 201, 66 points behind.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“We expected a race in which all three compounds would be viable strategic options and that proved to be the case. Teams had the opportunity to adopt different approaches, so much so that the starting grid presented a particularly varied picture. We saw drivers start on each of the available compounds, with different strategies unfolding throughout the race. Those who switched early to the Hard or Medium compound were able to complete most of the race distance comfortably thanks to extremely low degradation levels.

The data collected confirmed what we had observed over the previous days. Even during the most intense battles, with numerous overtakes and a few lock-ups, no significant wear-related issues emerged. We did observe some graining, with differing behaviour from team to team, demonstrating just how much the phenomenon was influenced by individual car characteristics and stint management.

The Virtual Safety Car inevitably limited the opportunity to gather further information on the C5 in long-run conditions, but the sets used by the drivers who completed the longest stints on the Soft compound showed low degradation in line with expectations. The rear axle undoubtedly benefited from Monza’s long straights, which helped contain tyre overheating under traction despite the high track temperatures.

Overall, the performance of the entire range was extremely positive, allowing drivers to push throughout the race while promoting close battles and numerous overtaking opportunities. We witnessed an action-packed race characterised by varied strategies, exactly the type of scenario we aim to help create.

Congratulations to Kimi Antonelli who, after climbing through the field from the penultimate position on the grid, managed to secure victory with an extraordinary recovery drive, completing 26 overtakes and taking advantage of a Virtual Safety Car period to fit a fresh set of Medium tyres that enabled him to catch and pass his team-mate before the chequered flag. His success brought an Italian driver back to the top step of the Monza podium for the first time in sixty years.”

FORMULA 2

Joshua Durksen won Sunday’s Formula 2 race in Italy. At Monza, Durksen managed to stay ahead of team-mate Rafael Camara, who finished second. Noel Leon completed the podium in third place. Durksen started on the Supersoft compound before switching to Softs on lap six. Team-mate Camara pitted two laps later to make the same change. Leon stopped on lap seven, meaning that the strategies of the top three drivers were very similar.

FORMULA 3

The Formula 3 Feature Race at Monza was won by Nicola Lacorte. Tuukka Taponen finished second, with Taito Kato taking third place. Freddie Slater retains the championship lead following this round with 141 points, while Ugo Ugochukwu occupies second place in the standings on 126 points. At the Madrid Grand Prix, the Formula 3 schedule includes the season’s final Sprint Race as well as no fewer than two Feature Races.

Throughout qualifying, drivers ran predominantly on the Soft compound, with the exception of George Russell and Liam Lawson, who initially opted for the Medium in Q1. Russell set the fastest time of the opening session on the C4, while Lawson improved later after switching to the C5. All three qualifying sessions took place in very hot conditions, with air temperatures exceeding 35°C and track temperatures reaching 49°C. Similar conditions are forecast for tomorrow’s race.

Russell was quickest in FP3 with a lap of 1:22.219. Lewis Hamilton finished second, ahead of Max Verstappen. Only the Medium and Soft compounds were used during the session. Alex Albon completed the highest number of laps on the same set of Soft tyres with 19 laps, while Pierre Gasly logged the most laps on the same set of Mediums with 17.

The Pirelli Pole Position Award was presented by Federica Brignone. The Italian alpine skier, Olympic champion in the super-G and giant slalom at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, also boasts three additional Olympic medals, five World Championship medals, two overall World Cup titles and five discipline World Cups.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“Our simulations indicate that a one-stop strategy will be the most competitive option at Monza, although several variations are very close in terms of overall race time. The choice of starting compound will likely depend on the characteristics of each car, as well as on the strategic approach teams wish to adopt according to their grid position.

The Medium appears to offer the greatest flexibility, allowing teams to react to any neutralisations in either the early stages or the latter part of the race. On paper, the quickest strategy involves starting on the C4 and making a pit stop between laps 24 and 30 before running to the flag on the Hard.

An alternative, estimated to be around two seconds slower over the full race distance, is to switch from the Medium to the Soft between laps 30 and 36. The C5 has proved fully raceable and could represent an interesting option for those looking to exploit its higher level of initial grip to gain positions along the long straight leading into Turn 1. In this scenario, the optimal pit stop window would be between laps 19 and 25, with the Hard compound taken through to the chequered flag.

The data gathered today confirms limited degradation across all three compounds, with no signs of critical wear or significant performance drop-off. We expect the graining observed yesterday to remain limited and not to have a significant impact on stint management.

The characteristics of the circuit, with its long straights and relatively low traction demands, also help control rear tyre temperatures and therefore promote optimal thermal management throughout the Grand Prix. Teams will therefore have several strategic options available, with all three compounds fully usable and capable of offering different opportunities depending on how the race unfolds.”

FORMULA 2

Joshua Dürksen claimed victory in the Monza Sprint Race. The driver managed to keep John Bennett behind him, with Bennett finishing second at the chequered flag, while Oliver Goethe completed the podium in third place. Rafael Câmara will start tomorrow’s Feature Race from pole position.

FORMULA 3

Saturday’s Formula 3 Sprint Race was won by Taito Kato. Behind him, Freddie Slater secured second place, while Hiyu Yamakoshi completed the podium in third. Thanks to his runner-up finish in the Sprint Race, Slater was able to extend his championship lead over his closest rival, Ugo Ugochukwu.

This afternoon, ambient temperatures reached 35°C, while track temperatures peaked at 47.5°C. In FP2, all three compounds were used, although the Medium and Soft were the most popular choices. Antonelli completed the highest number of laps on the Hard (23), Verstappen completed the most on the Medium (22), while Carlos Sainz covered the greatest distance on the Soft, with 18 laps.

Charles Leclerc was the fastest driver in the opening free practice session. The Monegasque posted a lap of 1:23.008, finishing more than a tenth of a second clear of Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton in second place. George Russell was third with a time of 1:23.312.

The Ferrari drivers each used one set of Hards and one set of Mediums during FP1. Russell opted instead for a Medium and a Soft. The Mercedes driver set his best time on the Soft, while both Ferrari drivers recorded their quickest laps on the Medium.

Overall, 14 drivers used the Hard compound during the first free practice session. The Medium and Soft were also widely used, confirming extensive running across all three compounds available this weekend.

SIMONE BERRA – PIRELLI CHIEF ENGINEER

“The first two free practice sessions showed a balanced performance profile across the compounds. Despite particularly high track temperatures, degradation remained limited and manageable on all three tyres in the range, which appear well suited to the characteristics of this circuit.

The most demanding traction zones are effectively confined to the exits of the first and second chicanes, while the long straights help cool the rear axle efficiently. We observed a small amount of graining, particularly on the front-left tyre, but only to a limited extent and without any significant impact on performance.

One particularly interesting point to emerge today concerns the Soft compound, which demonstrated good consistency during the long runs and appears to be a viable option for the race as well. Tomorrow, however, it may be difficult to complete more than one flying lap on the C5, due to the performance loss associated with thermal degradation.

The performance gaps were in line with our simulations: around half a second between the C4 and C5 and approximately two tenths between the C3 and C4. The differences between the various options are relatively small because of the limited longitudinal and lateral energy generated by the circuit.

Several strategic scenarios therefore remain open for Sunday's race, particularly as any neutralisations could create interesting opportunities when selecting the compound for the final stint.”

FORMULA 2

Rafael Camara will start Sunday's Formula 2 feature race from pole position. The Brazilian was the fastest driver in qualifying, finishing ahead of team-mate Joshua Dürksen. Alex Dunne set the third-fastest time in Friday's session.

FORMULA 3

Freddie Slater secured pole position on Friday at Monza. The Briton finished ahead of team-mate Matteo De Paolo, while Nicola Lacorte claimed the third-fastest time. Qualifying was held with the field split into Groups A and B.

Trophy’s photo: vedovamazzei with FRAGILE (2026), FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2026 trophy realized by artistic duo vedovamazzei (Simeone Crispino and Stella Scala) and commissioned by Pirelli with Pirelli HangarBicocca
Courtesy the artists
Photo A. Osio

Pirelli’s connection with the Temple of Speed, Europe’s most historic racing circuit, extends far beyond the proximity between the Italian company’s headquarters and the autodrome. It is also rooted in the many victories achieved on Pirelli tyres at Monza. Among them is Pietro Bordino’s win in a Fiat 804 at the Grand Prix that inaugurated the newly built circuit on 10 September 1922.

Pirelli will be the Title Sponsor of the race weekend and will celebrate its relationship with the Italian Grand Prix through the trophy, created by an Italian artistic duo, which will be lifted by the top three finishers in Sunday’s race, as well as through a special edition of the podium caps.

THE TROPHY

Photogallery at this link

The three drivers who will step onto the podium on Sunday, together with a representative of the winning team, will celebrate the outcome of the race by lifting FRAGILE, a trophy conceived as a work of art by the artist duo vedovamazzei.

The Italian Grand Prix trophy is commissioned each year from Italian artists as part of a multy-year project, now in its sixth edition, initiated by Pirelli, the race’s title sponsor, in collaboration with the Pirelli HangarBicocca Museum of Contemporary Art.

For the 2026 edition, the commission was awarded to vedovamazzei, the duo formed by Stella Scala and Simeone Crispino, whose artistic practice combines irony with an ability to capture the contradictions and complexities of reality. Their works often reinterpret everyday objects, highlighting the world’s paradoxical aspects.

FRAGILE is precisely a layered composition of household objects - cups and small bowls - that take on an unsteady-looking vertical form when stacked on top of each other.

The work required a traditional process of transposing drawings and sketches onto paper, followed by a highly technological 3D printing process using nylon powder. This material was then painted, galvanized, and polished until it became reflective.

The artists explain: “The idea for the trophy stems from the ancient tradition of passing a celebratory cup from hand to hand. It served as a large drinking vessel, creating a sense of shared celebration and festivity.”

“We wanted the trophy to be the symbol of a victory that an individual holds in their hands, yet it reflects the spirit of a community. In the case of Formula 1, this community includes the team, the fans, and the entire world revolving around the drivers. The composition also evokes an everyday dimension with its repeated gestures, suggesting a victory earned lap after lap that never corresponds to an eternal, unchanging status. It is unstable, short-lived, and must be reclaimed. In fact, it is fragile.”

The commission awarded to vedovamazzei follows those assigned to artists Alice Ronchi (2021), Patrick Tuttofuoco (2022), Ruth Beraha (2023), Andrea Sala (2024) and Nico Vascellari (2025).

PIRELLI PODIUM CAP SPECIAL EDITION

For the Monza weekend, Pirelli Design has created a special edition podium cap that will be worn by the drivers finishing on the podium at the Temple of Speed. Designed by Denis Dekovic, the cap features the iconic Azzurro colour of Italian sport and is embellished with gold embroidery and the unmistakable laurel wreaths associated with the podium.

The contrasting black visor is embroidered with the word “Monza”. On the side, an “Italia 2026” embroidery with four gold stars is accompanied by the dates of the race weekend. The special edition is already available to purchase on the e-commerce platform https://store.pirelli.com.

THE CIRCUIT

At Monza, the three softest compounds in the range will be in use: the C3 as Hard, the C4 as Medium and the C5 as Soft. On paper, all three options could play a role in shaping Sunday’s race strategies, provided temperatures are not excessively high.

The 5.793 km circuit, featuring 11 corners, is one of the fastest on the Formula 1 calendar, thanks in part to its long straights which, this year, will present an additional challenge for energy management with the new power units. Team simulations are in fact predicting lap times around two seconds quicker than last year.

From a tyre perspective, the front axle should be subjected to lower braking loads, as braking zones are likely to be approached at reduced speeds. By contrast, the rear axle will face greater demands during traction phases, when the full power of the power unit is deployed.

Braking stability and traction on corner exit, particularly at the First Chicane and Ascari, will be the two key factors in gaining an advantage over rivals on a track that is typically run with a low-downforce aerodynamic set-up, prioritising top speed.

The circuit generally offers a good level of grip from the opening sessions. No significant modifications have been made since the complete resurfacing carried out in 2024, when a relatively smooth asphalt mixture was laid. This year, the kerbs at Turns 1, 4 and 8 have been rebuilt, while at Turn 5 a gravel area has been replaced with an asphalt run-off section.

Drivers will likely have to manage rear axle overheating during the race, but degradation should not be severe enough to compromise tyre performance. As a result, a one-stop strategy appears the most likely option for Sunday, despite the fact that overtaking opportunities are far from scarce at Monza.

IN 2025

For the opening stint, most drivers opted for the Medium compound. Five chose the Hard, while only one started on the Soft. The red-banded tyre reappeared towards the end of the race, with several drivers fitting it for the final laps following their sole pit stop. That was the case for Norris and Piastri, who finished second and third after starting on the Medium. Verstappen, last year’s winner, completed the race using the Medium-Hard combination.

STATISTICS

This is the 77th edition of the Italian Grand Prix, one of the longest-running races on the Formula 1 calendar. It has been held at Monza on every occasion except one, when it took place at Imola. The drivers with the most victories are Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, with five wins apiece, while Ferrari is the most successful team with 20 victories. Hamilton also holds the records for both pole positions at Monza (seven) and fastest laps (seven). Among the current drivers, Pierre Gasly claimed his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Temple of Speed, winning the 2020 Italian Grand Prix at the wheel of an AlphaTauri and delivering the team's first success under its new name.

Trophy’s photo: vedovamazzei with FRAGILE (2026), FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2026 trophy realized by artistic duo vedovamazzei (Simeone Crispino and Stella Scala) and commissioned by Pirelli with Pirelli HangarBicocca
Courtesy the artists
Photo A. Osio

For the Bahrain Grand Prix, which will be hosted at Sepang from 2 to 4 October, the intermediate range comprising C2, C3 and C4 will instead be used. The Malaysian circuit places medium levels of stress on the tyres relative to the scale encompassing all tracks on the championship calendar.

The asphalt in Kuala Lumpur is particularly abrasive and has not been resurfaced since the last Formula 1 race held there in 2017. The decision not to use the hardest compounds is aimed at reducing the lap time differential between a one-stop and a two-stop race, thereby encouraging a wider range of potential race strategies.

Kimi Antonelli finished second, while his Mercedes team-mate George Russell completed the podium. The top ten finishers all followed different strategies, underlining the remarkable tactical variety on offer throughout the race.

In the opening stages, a red flag prompted several drivers to switch from their starting compound, with most having begun on Mediums and Softs. Norris, who started on Mediums, changed to Softs during the interruption before making two further pit stops, taking a set of Hards on each occasion.

Antonelli and Russell also started on Mediums, which they retained during the red flag period. Antonelli then made two pit stops for fresh sets of Hards before switching to a used set of Softs during a Virtual Safety Car phase. Russell followed a similar strategy, although he did not make his stop under the neutralisation.

Both Ferrari drivers chose to restart on Soft tyres, but the strategies of Lewis Hamilton (fourth) and Charles Leclerc (fifth) subsequently diverged. The Monegasque used all three available compounds, completing the race with stints on Medium, Hard and finally Soft. His team-mate, meanwhile, opted for a more straightforward approach, avoiding a final pit stop and contesting his third and fourth stints on Hard and Soft tyres respectively.

Fernando Alonso, on the other hand, secured two points by fitting a new set of Softs during the red flag before making just one further stop to switch to Hards. Thanks to this strategy, which allowed him to save a pit stop, he was able to finish the race in ninth place.

All three compounds were used during the race. Alonso completed the most laps on Softs, with a 32-lap stint. Arvid Lindblad covered 31 laps on Mediums, while Carlos Sainz completed 35 laps on Hards.

In the championship battle, Antonelli strengthened his lead, moving onto 242 points. Russell remains second on 183, while Lewis Hamilton is third, also on 183 points.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“The last race at Zandvoort proved full of twists and turns and highly unpredictable, particularly from a strategic perspective, with all three available compounds coming into play. The picture painted by the previous sessions ultimately proved inaccurate for the teams, forcing them to revise their approach to the Grand Prix in light of new variables and pushing them towards either two or three-stop strategies.

The weather played a significant role, with an unexpected rain shower before the start preventing the track from evolving as anticipated and altering the temperature profile, which was noticeably higher than during Saturday’s Sprint.

Tyre degradation, which had appeared relatively limited until the previous day, turned out to be significant, largely due to the increased wear caused by track conditions that had deteriorated and become particularly slippery following the rain.

After the stint following the restart, teams immediately realised that the conditions would not allow them to remain competitive with a one-stop strategy. Influenced by events on track as well, they therefore sought to identify the most effective tyre combinations for their drivers.

Following the first red flag, almost ten different strategies emerged, with notable variations even among the leading teams. For example, Lawson did not use the Hard compound, while McLaren opted not to fit the Medium again after the initial start. By contrast, other drivers, such as Leclerc, made use of all three available compounds.

As a result, we witnessed a highly engaging Grand Prix from a strategic standpoint, in which the teams were able to exploit the characteristics of each compound, all of which proved effective under specific conditions, identifying those best suited to maximising the strengths of their respective cars.

Particularly illustrative in this regard was the use of the Soft tyre by Antonelli and the two Ferrari drivers in the closing stages of the race, enabling them to make up ground on their direct rivals and, in the Italian’s case, even gain a position on his team-mate.”

At Zandvoort, Alisha Palmowski claimed her fourth victory of the 2026 F1 Academy season with a lights-to-flag win. The British Campos Racing driver, backed by Red Bull Racing, resisted constant pressure from Alba Larsen to remain in the lead all the way to the chequered flag. Larsen finished second, while Nina Gademan completed the podium, giving MP Motorsport two cars in the top three. After a less than perfect start, Palmowski steadily increased her advantage and won by almost three seconds from her Danish rival. Thanks to this success, the Briton further consolidated her championship lead, extending her advantage to 48 points ahead of the next round in Austin.

A few drops of rain in the closing minutes prompted teams to bring forward their runs. Track temperature hovered around 27°C, while the air temperature was 19°C. Similar conditions are expected for tomorrow’s Grand Prix.

George Russell won the Sprint Race. The Briton kept Charles Leclerc behind him to take victory, with the Ferrari driver finishing second. Leclerc opted for a different strategy in the short race, running the Soft compound. Russell secured the win on the Medium tyre, which was also used by third-placed Lando Norris.

Only Oliver Bearman, like Leclerc, chose the Soft for the Sprint, while all the other drivers raced on the C3. As in qualifying, rain began to fall in the closing stages of today’s race, shortly before the chequered flag, but without affecting the final outcome.

The Pirelli Pole Position Award was presented to Lando Norris by Maro Engel. The German driver currently leads the DTM championship, for which Pirelli has been the exclusive tyre supplier since 2023.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“Ferrari’s and Haas’s decision to use the Soft tyre in today’s Sprint demonstrated that the red-marked compound could be an option for Sunday, alongside the Hard and Medium, which are likely to be the most popular choices. All three compounds are therefore in play for the race.

The C4 delivered the level of performance Leclerc needed to close in on Norris thanks to its superior grip, without any drop-off in pace over a longer stint. The relatively low temperatures also helped keep the compound within its optimal operating window. The Sprint further demonstrated how difficult overtaking can be at Zandvoort, an important factor when assessing how costly a pit stop may prove to be.

The quickest strategy is therefore a one-stop, starting on the Medium and running until laps 27-33 before switching to the Hard for the remainder of the race. An alternative, around one second slower, involves starting on the Soft, using it until the window between laps 26 and 32, and then finishing the race on the Hard.

In clean air, two-stop strategies also look competitive on paper, but it is necessary to take into account, as noted earlier, the limited overtaking opportunities available around the circuit.

A third stint could be considered in the event of a Virtual Safety Car or to take advantage of an undercut during the race, provided traffic conditions allow. The degradation levels recorded today, thermal in nature, were limited and, given that drivers are more likely to manage their tyres during the race, should not be decisive in determining strategy, at least for the two harder compounds.”

The reverse-grid F1 Academy race was won by Payton Westcott. The Mercedes driver held off Alba Larsen, who finished second, while Nina Gademan completed the podium in her home event. The Feature Race will take place on Sunday, with Alisha Palmowski starting from pole position.

Sprint Qualifying took place with track temperatures of around 30°C and ambient temperatures of approximately 22°C. Oscar Piastri will start tomorrow’s Sprint from fourth on the grid after ending the session less than a tenth of a second away from pole position. As stipulated by the regulations, all drivers set their best SQ3 times using a set of C4 tyres.

In SQ2, where drivers were required, as in SQ1, to run the Medium compound, the fastest times came from the two McLaren drivers: Oscar Piastri stopped the clock at 1:12.026, while Lando Norris completed the session in 1:12.189. The Sprint Qualifying Award was presented to Russell by Pirelli Motorsport Director Dario Marrafuschi.

During FP1, all drivers, with the exception of Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson, completed several laps on Intermediate tyres. However, track conditions improved rapidly, allowing the switch to slicks almost immediately, with all three available compounds being tested. Kimi Antonelli topped the session thanks to a lap of 1:12.949. Lando Norris set the second fastest time, while George Russell finished third.

The driver who completed the most laps on the Hard compound was Arvid Lindblad with 24; on the Medium, George Russell led the way with 27 laps, while on the Soft it was Alexander Albon who completed the most mileage, with 22 laps.

SIMONE BERRA – PIRELLI CHIEF ENGINEER

“Excluding a handful of installation laps on Intermediates, the first free practice session was devoted to evaluating all three compounds available for the weekend, with track conditions that, in terms of grip, proved better than expected following the rain. The Medium suffered more from surface abrasion than the Hard, but in general none of the options showed wear levels significant enough to compromise their performance life.

The grip provided by the Soft compound was considerable, also helped by track evolution towards the end of the session. The differing approaches taken by teams, either using a set of Hards during FP1 or keeping both sets in reserve, may offer an early indication that they are considering varying numbers of pit stops. Tyre degradation will play a key role, although at present it appears to be under control thanks to the low temperatures, as will the probability of a safety car, traditionally high at this circuit. In any case, we believe that all three compounds can be utilised in race strategies on Sunday.

The performance gap between the Medium and the Soft is around half a second, in line with our expectations from simulations, although those simulations indicated lap times roughly one second quicker. If the track does not reset overnight, we should therefore see a further improvement in performance as early as tomorrow.”

For the event in the Netherlands, the selected compounds are the C2, C3 and C4, the same choice as last year. Opting for a softer trio contributed to a two-stop race, aided by neutralisations, in which all the available compounds were used.

The track, situated just 40 km from Amsterdam, offers a low level of grip both because of the nature of its asphalt, which has been resurfaced in several sections over the years, and because of the sand blown onto the circuit from the nearby beaches. This phenomenon can reduce grip not only from one day to the next, but sometimes even from one session to another.

The Zandvoort circuit is particularly demanding on tyres in terms of energy density, owing to its short lap length and numerous corners, some of them taken at high speed. The two banked turns, with gradients of 19 and 18 degrees respectively, generate extremely high vertical and lateral forces on the tyres.

Teams therefore need to manage car setup carefully and, more generally, the interaction between car and tyres. The level of aerodynamic downforce required is high, very similar to that needed at Budapest, venue of the final round before the summer break.

The Dutch round has been brought forward by one week compared to 2025. In theory, thermal degradation should play a significant role in the middle of August, but temperatures at Zandvoort rarely exceed 20°C and rain is a frequent feature. In addition, the circuit’s proximity to the sea means strong gusts of wind are common, which could affect the drivers, especially with the new aerodynamic regulations.

With the Sprint format making its debut at Zandvoort, teams will have only one hour of free practice available to finalise their car setups. While the Hard is likely to be the reference compound for Sunday’s race, the two softer options could both prove effective choices for Saturday’s Sprint. Overtaking difficulty, caused by the presence of only one straight and the narrow track width, will also be an important factor in Grand Prix strategy.

IN 2025

All three compounds selected for the Grand Prix were used on the starting grid. Fourteen drivers opted to start on the Medium, four on the Soft and two on the Hard. The C2 was the most extensively used tyre during the race, mainly in the longest middle stint. Almost all drivers made a second pit stop by taking advantage of safety car restarts after lap 50, with most of them finishing the race on Soft tyres.

STATISTICS

The Dutch Grand Prix has always been held at the Zandvoort circuit. This year marks its 36th edition, the first race having taken place in 1952. The driver with the most victories at this track is Jim Clark (4), while Ferrari holds the record among constructors with eight wins. Local hero Max Verstappen has so far won three races here, the same number as Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda.

At Zandvoort, the same selection as last year has been confirmed for a circuit characterised by medium and low-speed corners, including two banked turns. The vertical and lateral forces acting on the tyres are high, as is the level of aerodynamic downforce required. The track surface offers a relatively low level of grip, further affected by sand from the nearby beaches being blown onto the circuit by the wind.

The Monza circuit, resurfaced a couple of years ago, requires low-downforce car configurations. The time lost in the pit lane during a tyre change is among the highest of the season. As a result, teams will look to extend their stints while managing degradation in an effort to complete the race with a one-stop strategy. However, high temperatures could make that approach more difficult to execute.

The race to be held on Madrid’s semi-permanent street circuit will make its debut on the Formula 1 calendar as the Spanish Grand Prix. The tyre compound selection has been determined on the basis of simulations carried out using data and characteristics from the new track, which features 22 highly varied corners, significant elevation changes and the longest banked corner on the calendar.

Our analysis of the Madring indicates that the loads acting on the tyres are comparable to those seen at circuits such as Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps. The choice of the medium range is therefore intended, based on the characteristics of the track, to favour a two-stop strategy and provide greater protection against the risk of excessive overheating in the event of high temperatures, a situation to which the softest compound in the range would be more susceptible.

Norris started on Mediums before completing two further stints on Hards. Taking advantage of a Virtual Safety Car period, the world champion made an additional pit stop and fitted Soft tyres.

Verstappen, by contrast, stayed out on a set of C5s, completing the final 29 laps on that compound. However, he was not the driver who extracted the most mileage from the red-marked tyre: that distinction went to Fernando Alonso, who completed 34 laps on the Soft compound.

Lance Stroll completed the highest number of laps on the Medium, using the same set for 29 laps, while Arvin Lindblad reached 49 laps on the Hard. All three compounds were used extensively throughout the race, providing a range of strategic options.

Twelve drivers opted for a two-stop strategy. These included both Mercedes and Red Bull pairings, who started on Medium tyres and then switched to Hards for their remaining two stints, with the exception of Verstappen, who completed his final stint on Softs.

Five drivers, meanwhile, finished the race with a three-stop strategy, including both Ferrari drivers, who started on Softs, ran the middle phases of the race on the C3, and took the chequered flag once again on the C5. Bortoleto and Lindblad were the only two drivers to make a one-stop strategy work, the former following a Soft-Hard approach and the latter a Medium-Hard strategy.

The race took place in warmer conditions than those recorded yesterday: track temperatures exceeded 49°C, while ambient temperatures peaked at 34°C. Antonelli now leads the championship with 219 points, followed by Hamilton in second on 169.

Pirelli will remain in Budapest for two days of testing on Tuesday and Wednesday, carrying out development work on next season’s tyres together with Alpine, Audi and Aston Martin. The latter, unlike the other two teams, will be on track only on the opening day.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“Today we witnessed a wide variety of strategies, with every team able to make use of the full range of compounds available. The impression is that each team managed to identify the most effective combination to maximise the characteristics of its own car.

These were precisely some of the objectives we had set ourselves during the development phase. To create a range capable of adapting as effectively as possible to cars that have followed different development paths, offering greater strategic variety and enabling even the softer compounds to be used effectively.

Several teams made extensive use of the C5 today, which this year has once again proved to be a genuine race tyre and not just an option for fast laps on Saturday. This is demonstrated by the Soft stints of more than 29 laps completed by as many as five drivers.

In the end, the race was contested between one-stop and three-stop strategies. Among the top teams, only Ferrari chose to start on the Soft and, by bringing Hamilton into the pits at the first available opportunity, effectively triggered the sequence of pit stops among its rivals, prompting several others to converge on a two-stop strategy.

This approach offered greater tactical flexibility and a faster ability to react in a race made particularly complex by traffic and the high number of backmarkers to manage after each pit stop.

While Ferrari demonstrated particular effectiveness in extracting performance from the red-marked tyre, Mercedes appeared to base its approach around the Hard compound, which was also selected for the final stint. It was a decision taken shortly before the Virtual Safety Car, which instead gave others the opportunity to make an additional tyre change.

Despite the high temperatures, degradation across all three compounds remained broadly in line with expectations. Drivers mainly had to manage the rear tyres, the principal limiting factor in the traction phases, without significantly compromising race pace, thanks in part to the circuit's continuous evolution throughout the day.”

FORMULA 2

By the narrowest of margins, Noel Leon claimed victory in the Formula 2 Championship Feature Race at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Kush Maini finished second, while Rafael Camara crossed the line in third place. Leon started on the Soft compound before switching to the Medium on lap 16. Maini and Camara adopted the same strategy, making the move to the Medium on laps 21 and 20 respectively. Nikola Tsolov heads into the summer break leading the championship standings on 167 points, ahead of Gabriele Minì in second place with 147 points.

FORMULA 3

The Formula 3 Championship Feature Race at the Hungaroring was won by Freddie Slater. Ugo Ugochukwu finished second, while Brando Badoer secured the final podium position in third. Thanks to this victory, Slater has extended his advantage in the championship battle and now holds an eight-point lead over Ugochukwu, who sits second in the standings. The next round of the Formula 3 Championship will take place at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

All teams, with the exception of Ferrari, used only Soft tyres. The Maranello-based squad opted for the Medium compound during the opening phase of qualifying. Hamilton completed three laps on the C4, while Leclerc covered eight laps on the yellow-banded tyre before both switched to the C5.

Using four sets of Soft tyres, Norris managed to beat his rivals with his final flying lap. The McLaren driver had also been quickest in the third free practice session, where, as in qualifying, the C5 was the most widely used compound.

Only Liam Lawson and the Aston Martin and Audi drivers used a set of Medium tyres in FP3. Nico Hülkenberg and Lawson completed the highest number of laps on the yellow-banded compound, with 15 laps each.

Norris’s best time in FP3 was a 1:17.939. Hamilton finished in 1:18.056, ahead of Kimi Antonelli, who was third on 1:18.068. The highest temperatures of the day were recorded during this session, with track temperatures peaking at 53°C and air temperatures at 29°C. Forecasts for tomorrow indicate a further, albeit slight, increase.

The Pirelli Pole Position Award was presented to Norris by Michelle Gulyás. The Hungarian athlete won the gold medal in the modern pentathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, setting a new world record in the discipline.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“Our simulations show no difference in overall race time between a one-stop and a two-stop strategy for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Degradation, which has been higher than expected, has effectively brought the two strategic options into line, allowing teams to evaluate different scenarios depending on the new sets they have preserved up to this point.

In both FP3 and qualifying, as was already the case during yesterday’s first two sessions, some teams followed a different approach from the rest by using an additional set of Medium tyres. The yellow-banded tyre is still likely to be the preferred compound for the start. Those opting for a one-stop strategy could then complete the race on the Hard compound, with the pit stop window falling between laps 26 and 32.

In the case of a two-stop strategy, however, given that only two teams still have two new sets of C4s available, it is more likely that the final stints will be run on the Hard compound, with pit stop windows between laps 16 and 22 for the first stop and laps 40 and 46 for the second. As highlighted yesterday, traffic and the difficulty of overtaking remain key factors and could encourage several teams to favour a one-stop approach.

The use of the Soft tyre cannot be ruled out either, as it has demonstrated good levels of grip and sufficient durability. Around ten seconds slower than the two main strategies are the Soft-Hard-Medium and Medium-Hard-Soft combinations. Drivers able to build a gap over their rivals may be able to make an additional stop without the risk of losing position, while others could use the undercut to their advantage. The situation therefore remains open and it would not be surprising to see different strategies even between drivers from the same team.”

FORMULA 2

Gabriele Minì won the Formula 2 Sprint Race. The Italian started from second on the grid and went on to take victory. Dino Beganovic finished second, while Laurens van Hoepen completed the podium in third. Minì also set the fastest lap of the race, collecting valuable points in the championship battle. In Sunday’s Feature Race, Kush Maini will start from pole position after setting the fastest time in Friday’s qualifying session.

FORMULA 3

Théophile Naël won the Sprint Race in Hungary. The Campos driver started from sixth position but fought his way to the front during the race. Kanato Le finished second, while Ernesto Rivera crossed the line in third place.

In FP1, the majority of drivers opted for the Medium (C4) tyre for their initial runs, while only the two Cadillacs and the Aston Martins took to the track on the Hard (C3). Towards the end of the session, Leclerc set the benchmark time on the Soft (C5), stopping the clocks at 1:19.075. The Monegasque also led the way on the C4 with a lap of 1:20.287.

In the second session, it was Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton who finished on top with a time of 1:18.729, again set on the Soft compound. He was followed by Leclerc and Lando Norris, both also running on the red-walled tyre. The seven-time World Champion was also the fastest driver on the Medium in the same session, posting a 1:19.585.

During the opening phase of FP2, the focus was largely on the Hard and Medium tyres. Alex Albon completed the highest number of laps on a set of C3s, covering 26 tours, while George Russell and Valtteri Bottas each managed 23 laps on the C4. Among those who ran the Soft, Leclerc was the most productive, completing 18 laps on the C5.

Ambient temperatures remained around 25°C, while track temperatures peaked at 46°C. Very similar conditions are expected for tomorrow’s qualifying session.

SIMONE BERRA – PIRELLI CHIEF ENGINEER

“We will get a clearer picture tomorrow once the teams have completed their analysis of today’s data, but the indications from the opening two hours of free practice suggest there is still uncertainty over the number of pit stops we are likely to see in Sunday’s race. Six teams have retained two sets of Hard tyres, while all the others have already used at least one, a sign that there is not yet a unanimous view on the best way to tackle the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Given the higher level of degradation observed during the second session, when the drivers pushed harder, a two-stop strategy appears capable of offering an advantage over a one-stop race. However, the difficulty of overtaking at the Hungaroring must also be taken into account, as track position remains a decisive factor at this circuit.

Track grip was relatively low throughout the day, and the Soft proved to be the compound that best showcased the performance of the cars, thanks to the greater mechanical grip it delivered from the very first laps. By contrast, the Medium showed a degree of graining on the front-left tyre.

In general, protecting the rear axle is crucial at this circuit, while managing an inevitable level of front tyre degradation, which should nevertheless decrease as the track continues to evolve over the course of the weekend. The performance gap between the Soft and Medium compounds was around eight tenths of a second, in line with pre-event simulations. Attention now turns to the opening phase of qualifying tomorrow, where it will not be easy for the drivers to identify the optimal window for both the preparation lap and the flying lap on such a short circuit.”

In the FIA garages today, the new official FIA Formula 1® Safety Car made its debut: the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+, fitted with bespoke P Zero R tyres.

Specifically developed for the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+, recently unveiled as the first-ever Official FIA F1® Safety Car with fully variable all-wheel drive, the new Pirelli P Zero R is an ultra-high-performance tyre engineered to deliver outstanding track performance and precise steering feel, while also ensuring confident handling in wet conditions.

This double capability is the result of a bespoke dual-tread compound and a tread pattern specifically tuned for this car, developed by Pirelli using Virtual Design techniques in close collaboration with Mercedes-AMG engineers.

The tyre – the first P Zero R tailor-made for a Mercedes-AMG – underwent extensive testing at the Nürburgring and Nardò, with Bernd Mayländer and other expert Safety Car drivers, who praised the tyre’s consistent performance and grip across a wide range of conditions.

FORMULA 2

For the second time this Formula 2 season, Kush Maini claimed pole position. The ART Grand Prix driver was marginally quicker than Rafael Camara, who qualified second. As a result, the championship leader will start Sunday’s race from the front row in P2. Noel León secured third place. Before that, however, attention turns to Saturday’s Sprint Race, in which the top 10 qualifiers will line up on the reversed grid. The compounds selected for the Hungarian weekend are the Medium and Soft, the same choice as last year. In the 2025 Feature Race, eight drivers started on the Medium tyre and fourteen on the Soft.

FORMULA 3

With a lap of 1:33.411, Tuukka Taponen secured pole position in Formula 3 on Friday. The Finn narrowly edged out Freddie Slater, who posted a time of 1:33.451. Mattia Colnaghi stopped the clocks at 1:33.475 to claim the third-fastest time. The Medium compound has been selected for the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend.

The circuit measures 4.381 kilometres and features 14 corners. It is often compared to a kart track due to its short length and twisty nature. There is only one real straight, coinciding with the start-finish line, which represents one of the few overtaking opportunities. For the rest, drivers are challenged by numerous corners, some of them 180°, which are negotiated 70 times over the course of the race. For this reason, car setups are usually very similar to those used at Monaco.

Just like in the Principality, the three softest compounds in the range will also be used in Budapest. C3, C4 and C5 are the ideal selection for a slow track where traction and braking stability are crucial to tackle direction changes. The surface has pronounced roughness due to the age of the sections that have not been renewed, and grip levels are among the lowest of the season, with significant track evolution over the weekend.

Track temperatures at the Hungaroring are typically the highest recorded throughout the season. Thermal degradation is therefore one of the main factors influencing tyre performance, particularly on the rear axle due to the prevalence of traction phases. Graining may also appear on the softer compounds.

Tyre degradation is expected to bring one-stop and two-stop strategies closer together in terms of overall race time. The choice between the two will also be influenced by track position considerations, on a circuit where overtaking can prove difficult. With very high temperatures, teams are likely to favour the two hardest compounds.

Following the Hungarian Grand Prix, Pirelli will remain in Budapest with Aston Martin, Audi and Alpine for two days of testing, on Tuesday and Wednesday, to develop next season’s tyres.

IN 2025

All three compounds played a role in last year’s race. Most drivers opted to start on the Medium, while three lined up on Softs and two on Hards. Half of the grid completed the race with a single stop, while the remaining classified drivers made two pit stops before the chequered flag. The reduced thermal degradation, aided by cooler temperatures, helped make the one-stop strategy as competitive as the two-stop, which on paper was quicker.

STATISTICS

The Hungarian Grand Prix reaches its 41st edition. All races have been held at the Hungaroring, on the outskirts of Budapest, continuously from 1986 to the present day. The driver with the most victories at this track is Lewis Hamilton with eight wins, four more than Michael Schumacher. McLaren, with 13 victories, is the most successful constructor in Budapest. Three drivers on the current grid have taken their maiden Formula 1 victory in Hungary: Fernando Alonso in 2003 with Renault, Esteban Ocon in 2021 with Alpine, also the team’s first win, and Oscar Piastri in 2024 with McLaren.

Following George Russell’s retirement, Antonelli strengthened his lead in the championship battle over his closest rival and team-mate. Russell was also overtaken today by Lewis Hamilton, who finished the Grand Prix in fourth place and is now 45 points off the lead, five more than Russell.

All compounds were used today, with the majority of drivers opting to start on Mediums. Lando Norris instead lined up on Hards and did not pit until lap 30 to switch to the C3. However, he was not the driver to complete the most laps on the C2: Valtteri Bottas ran 31 laps on the white-marked tyre before finishing the race on Softs.

The C4, meanwhile, was used extensively by Carlos Sainz, who started from the back of the grid in an attempt to recover positions. The Williams driver completed 14 laps on the Soft before switching to the Hard.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“All three compounds played a role in the Belgian Grand Prix strategies, with few variations between the teams and all broadly within the scenarios already anticipated yesterday.

“Tyre degradation was lower than in previous days because track temperatures, partly due to a few drops of rain, were cooler than those recorded earlier in the weekend. This allowed drivers to extend their stints.

“Only Ferrari opted to deviate slightly from the strategies of its direct rivals, extending the opening stint on Mediums while waiting for a neutralisation, which ultimately came. This enabled the team to save time during the pit stop and fit the Hard tyres to both drivers on the same lap.

“No one, with the exception of Sainz and Bottas, chose to start on Softs, a strategy which, in our view, could have offered some benefit to cars in the second half of the grid if combined with a slightly earlier stop to exploit the undercut. From a strategic standpoint, despite the presence of a Safety Car and a VSC, the race proved fairly straightforward.”

FORMULA 2

Rafael Câmara won the Feature Race in Belgium. With this victory, the Invicta driver claimed his second long race win of the season. Câmara started on the Supersoft compound before switching to Mediums. The second-placed driver, Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak, and third-placed Nikola Tsolov adopted the same strategy. Thanks to his third-place finish, the Bulgarian maintains the lead in the championship standings.

FORMULA 3

Ernesto Rivera secured his first Feature Race victory in the Formula 3 championship. The Mexican managed to keep Hiyu Yamakoshi behind him throughout the race at Spa-Francorchamps. Freddie Slater finished third. Thanks to his podium result, Slater has closed the gap in the title fight and now sits just one point behind championship leader Ugo Ugochukwu.

Antonelli completed 15 laps, stopping the clock at 1:44.361. Verstappen recorded a best time of 1:44.678 across 12 laps, while Norris set a 1:44.801 after 11 laps in qualifying. All drivers used the Soft C4 compound exclusively. The top three each used four sets of tyres.

The Italian driver had already impressed in the third free practice session, finishing fastest with a time of 1:45.990 ahead of Norris and Verstappen. Among the top three, the McLaren driver was the only one to use the Medium compound as well, a choice also made by Hadjar and both Alpine drivers.

Track conditions were slightly warmer in qualifying compared to FP3. Track temperature reached 38.5°C, compared to 36°C recorded in the morning session. Ambient temperature remained stable at around 21°C throughout the day.

The Pirelli Pole Position Award was presented by Barry Baltus. The Belgian Moto2 rider competes for the REDS Fantic Racing team, the reigning world champions in the category.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“Everything suggests that tomorrow’s race will be a one-stop, with strategy mainly determined by the new tyre sets available to each team. The opening stint could be completed on either the Medium or the Soft, depending on which new sets teams have chosen to keep.

“The top teams may start on the C3 before switching to the Hard between laps 17 and 23. Those who have saved a new set of C4 could instead use it at the start, bringing their stop forward into the 14 to 20 lap window.

“The Soft was extensively tested during the first hour of free practice and, on some cars, appears to give drivers better feedback under braking. For this reason, it could be preferred, also thanks to the grip advantage it offers.

“Two-stop strategies are approximately eight to ten seconds slower. Possible options include Soft-Hard-Hard and Soft-Hard-Medium. As already noted yesterday, some teams have kept an additional set of C2 as a precaution, which could prove useful to have a fresh tyre available in the event of a neutralisation.

“Tyre behaviour is in line with our expectations. Lap times are also now close to simulations, with just a one tenth gap between the pole time and our projections. The track has evolved quickly and thermal degradation on the rear axle is now the only factor that will need to be taken into account during the race.”

FORMULA 2

Joshua Duerksen won the Sprint race at Spa-Francorchamps. Martinius Stenshorne finished second, just six tenths behind, while Dino Beganovic completed the podium in third place. Championship leader Nikola Tsolov crossed the line in fourth. With the exception of Noel Leon, who opted for the Supersoft compound, all drivers started on Medium tyres. The Feature race is scheduled for tomorrow, with Rafael Camara starting from pole position.

FORMULA 3

The Formula 3 Sprint race was won by Jin Nakamura. The Hitech driver managed to hold off Brando Badoer and Pedro Clerot at Spa-Francorchamps. Badoer had started from pole position but had to give way to the Japanese driver during the sprint race. He finished less than one second behind the winner. The Feature race is scheduled for Sunday.

During FP2, held with track temperatures of 37°C and air temperatures of 25°C, drivers used only the Medium C3 and Soft C4 compounds. The number of laps completed was generally lower than usual due to the red flag caused by Gasly, which interrupted the second free practice session. Antonelli and Norris stopped at 17 laps, while Verstappen reached 20.

In the first session, some teams also used the Hard C2. Audi, Alpine and Cadillac opted for this choice, before switching to Softs later in FP1. The rest of the field focused exclusively on the C3 and C4. Max Verstappen set the fastest time with a 1:47.070, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Temperatures were higher, with a peak of 43°C on track.

SIMONE BERRA – PIRELLI CHIEF ENGINEER

“The rain that fell overnight and throughout the day significantly reduced track grip, increasing lap times compared to both our and the teams’ expectations. If there is no further precipitation, the track will gradually rubber in and return to the anticipated levels. Despite the interruption in the second hour of free practice, teams should have gathered sufficient data to tackle the weekend.

“Degradation was slightly higher than initial expectations on the two softest compounds, on both axles: on the front due to abrasion, and on the rear due to thermal effects. We do not expect this phenomenon to recur over the coming days, when temperatures will be lower and the track conditions improved. The delta between Medium and Soft is between four and five tenths, in line with simulations.

“The Hard compound was used by only a few teams in FP1. Many teams therefore chose to preserve two sets of the hardest compound. It is interesting to consider the reason, given that a one-stop race on Sunday appears very likely. The additional set could represent a valuable joker in the event of a neutralisation during the Grand Prix, should a first stop have already been made.”

FORMULA 2

For Sunday’s Feature Race, Rafael Câmara will start from pole position. The Brazilian edged out Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak in the fight for pole. Behind them, Alexander Dunne set the third fastest time. The top three were covered by less than two tenths of a second.

There is a compound step in the selection for the Spa-Francorchamps weekend. On paper, the fastest strategy for the Feature Race involves using Mediums in the first stint and Supersofts in the second. However, it will be crucial to factor in any Safety Car interventions, which could make the reverse strategy more competitive.

FORMULA 3

Freddie Slater secured pole position for the second consecutive time, this time at Spa-Francorchamps. Despite rain affecting the session, Slater set a time of 2:05.150, almost three tenths quicker than second-placed Tuukka Taponen. The third fastest time was recorded by Hiyu Yamakoshi. The chosen compound for the Belgian weekend is the Medium.

The circuit is the longest on the calendar, at 7.004 kilometres, and is one of the most beloved for its history, having been part of the World Championship since 1950, and for its layout, characterised by long straights, high-speed corners and the greatest elevation change of the entire season. There is also an element of unpredictability in an event that is already extremely demanding from both a technical and driving perspective.

The track is set in the Ardennes forest, which has a very particular microclimate compared to the rest of the region. In case of bad weather, rain-laden clouds take longer to clear the area, leaving the circuit damp and affecting the asphalt conditions. When it rains, drivers often encounter sections of the track that are dry and others that remain wet, making tyre choice particularly delicate, between slicks and intermediates.

For this challenge, Pirelli has brought the C2, C3 and C4 compounds. Spa-Francorchamps ranks among the most demanding circuits for tyres in terms of loads and forces, though not reaching the levels of Suzuka or Silverstone. The most iconic section is undoubtedly the stretch from Eau Rouge to the Raidillon climb. Here, corners follow one another in quick succession and in opposite directions while the track rises, before leading onto the Kemmel Straight. This section now features grooves in the asphalt designed to improve water drainage and visibility in wet conditions.

The track was completely resurfaced a couple of years ago and, in the early days of the weekend, generally offers a relatively low level of grip. Grip levels may improve thanks to the recent GT racing weekend, with the 24 Hours of Spa leaving additional rubber on the track.

The three sectors of the circuit each have very different characteristics and have always posed a setup puzzle for teams. The first is the fastest and includes a long straight where overtaking is common; the second is more technical, with medium-speed corners, many of which are downhill; the third is more flowing and develops on a gentle uphill gradient.

This year, the introduction of new aerodynamics should make it easier to find the right compromise in terms of downforce. The cars will be able to run higher downforce configurations for the more technical sections while benefiting from straight-line mode on the straights. As seen at Silverstone, the drivers’ ability to manage and efficiently recharge the power unit will also be crucial.

Temperatures could also have a significant influence on the weekend and race strategies. During the 24 Hours of Spa, held at the end of June, track temperatures exceeded 55°C. With such high values, it is plausible that thermal tyre degradation will increase, raising the likelihood of two-stop strategies. In any case, the two hardest compounds in the range are expected to be the protagonists in Sunday’s race.

IN 2025

Last year, rain caused a delay of over an hour to the start of the race. After a formation lap, the procedure was halted due to poor visibility. When it resumed, following four laps behind the Safety Car, the Grand Prix restarted with all drivers on intermediate tyres. From lap 11 onwards, all cars switched to Mediums, with the sole exception of Norris, who ran on Hards. Only six drivers, at the back of the field, made a second stop.

STATISTICS

This year’s event will be the 71st Belgian Grand Prix to be held. The circuit has hosted 58 editions of the race, which has also taken place at Zolder for 10 years and at Nivelles for two. The driver with the most victories in the Belgian Grand Prix is Michael Schumacher, with six wins. The German claimed his first Formula 1 victory at Spa in 1992, driving for Benetton. Lewis Hamilton and Ayrton Senna follow with five wins each. Scuderia Ferrari is the most successful constructor at the event, with 18 victories, three more than McLaren.

The initial strategy planned by most teams was a one-stop, but two neutralisations in the closing stages forced all drivers to make at least two pit stops. The entire grid started on C2 before switching to the Hard compound.

Most of the front-runners opted to fit the Soft for the final stint. Russell, however, had already switched from Hard to Medium during his second stop and therefore chose to prioritise track position, bringing the race to a close on the yellow-marked tyre.

As the race ended behind the Safety Car, the drivers who had chosen the C3 were unable to fully exploit its performance potential.

Kimi Antonelli completed the highest number of laps on the Medium, covering 35 laps on the C2, while Oscar Piastri recorded the longest stint on the Hard with 34 laps. The greatest number of laps on the Soft, 12, was completed by Alexander Albon.

Despite finishing outside the points, Antonelli retains the lead in the Drivers’ Championship with 179 points. The Italian is ahead of his team-mate, now on 154, while Lewis Hamilton occupies third place with 147 points.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

All teams converged today on a single strategy, the same one our simulations had identified as the quickest. Up until the first Virtual Safety Car, therefore, the Grand Prix did not show significant variation from this perspective, aside from the timing of the switch from Medium to Hard.

The early pit stops by some drivers were also influenced by the level of tyre degradation, which in the opening phase of the race proved higher than observed in previous days, partly due to the higher temperatures recorded on Sunday.

With the first neutralisation, some attempted to take advantage of increased grip by fitting a new set of C2. However, it was the final Safety Car that not only introduced the widespread use of the softest compound, the C3, but also determined the order of the podium finishers.

George Russell was able to secure second place having already made his second pit stop due to debris, while the two Ferrari drivers stopped to fit Soft tyres, anticipating a restart that ultimately did not take place.

Pirelli’s commitment at Silverstone does not end today. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we will return to the track, with the support of Mercedes and Williams, for two further days of development testing aimed at defining the construction of next season’s slick tyres.

FORMULA 2

Nikola Tsolov made history in Formula 2. The Campos driver secured three consecutive victories in the championship, a feat never previously achieved in the series. Rafael Villagomez finished second, adopting a strategy completely opposite to Tsolov’s. Tsolov started on the soft compound before switching to hard on lap six. Villagomez, by contrast, opted to start on hard and then move onto soft in the latter part of the race. Kush Maini finished in third position. Tsolov leads the championship with 141 points, followed by Gabriele Minì in second place on 124 points.

FORMULA 3

Matteo De Palo claimed his first victory in the Formula 3 Championship. Maciej Gladysz finished second, while James Wharton secured third. After the race, several penalties were applied, resulting in a final top three that differed from the order in which the drivers crossed the line. Ugo Ugochukwu retains the championship lead with 97 points, while Freddie Slater sits in second place with 78 points.

The poleman recorded a time of 1:28.111. Leclerc stopped the clock at 1:28.286, while Hamilton completed his best lap in 1:28.458, all three using the Soft compound. Across the three qualifying sessions, Antonelli used six sets of C3 tyres, four of them new. Both Ferrari drivers, meanwhile, used five sets, with just one used set. Only the Audi drivers ran a set of Mediums C2 in Q1, while the rest of the field relied exclusively on the C3 compound.

In the morning, Antonelli managed to overtake Lewis Hamilton, who had taken pole position on Friday, thereby also securing victory in the Sprint. Lando Norris crossed the line in third place. All three drivers contested the short race on the Medium compound. Only the two Aston Martin drivers and Bottas opted to use the C3.

Today, track temperature peaked at 40 °C during qualifying, while air temperature reached 27 °C. No significant changes in weather conditions are expected for tomorrow’s Grand Prix.

The Pirelli Pole Position Award was presented to Kimi Antonelli by Maduka Okoye, goalkeeper for Udinese and the Nigeria national team.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

All the compounds available this weekend have proven to be valid options for shaping tomorrow’s race strategies. The levels of degradation recorded today were, overall, lower than expected, likely also thanks to the way current cars manage energy at this circuit. For this reason, according to our simulations, the one-stop strategy is around 13 seconds quicker than a two-stop.

The vast majority of teams used the Medium compound for the Sprint, and we expect the C2 to be the most common choice for the start of the Grand Prix as well. The yellow tyre has shown sufficiently consistent performance and can offer good strategic flexibility in the event of race neutralisation.

The fastest strategy involves using the C2 in the opening phase of the race, then switching to the Hard between laps 24 and 30. A possible alternative is the Medium–Soft combination, with a pit stop scheduled between laps 29 and 35. Alternatively, a strategy starting on the Hard followed by a stint on Medium could be chosen, or beginning the race on the Soft and finishing on the Hard.

FORMULA 2

Nikola Tsolov won the Formula 2 Sprint race at Silverstone. On the final lap, he managed to overtake Gabriele Minì, who finished second. Rafael Villagómez came home in third place. All drivers raced on the hard compound. Tomorrow, the feature race is scheduled, with Rafael Câmara starting from pole position.

FORMULA 3

The Formula 3 Sprint race at Silverstone was won by Ugo Ugochukwu. The Campos driver delivered a dominant performance, crossing the line with a 17-second margin over runner-up Yevan David. Behind David, Théophile Naël finished in third place. Tomorrow, Freddie Slater will start from pole position for the feature race.

As required by the regulations, drivers were mandated to use a set of Mediums in SQ1, a second set of Mediums in SQ2 and a set of Softs in SQ3. Among the ten drivers who reached the final session, all completed a three-lap stint on the softest compound.

Hamilton had already been quickest in the first free practice session, setting a time of 1'29"260 on Soft tyres. Earlier, he had completed 21 laps on the Hards, spread across three different stints, before returning to the C1 at the end of the session. Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc finished FP1 in second and third place respectively.

Ambient temperatures remained around 25°C, while track temperature peaked at 42°C during the first free practice session. Forecasts indicate similar weather conditions for Saturday and for Sunday’s race.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR 

The Silverstone weekend has got underway in line with expectations on the tyre front, while the home crowd enjoyed a welcome surprise thanks to a British favourite securing Sprint pole position. The first part of the sole hour of free practice allowed teams to become familiar with the C1, a compound that, prior to Silverstone, had only been used at Suzuka. The C2 and C3, on the other hand, were mainly used for performance runs, enabling teams to gather useful data ahead of the rest of the weekend.

In both of today’s sessions, degradation proved to be in line with our expectations, and the initial performance delta observed between Medium and Soft, at equal fuel loads, was around four tenths, approximately a tenth less than indicated by simulations. It will be interesting to see tomorrow which compounds come into play in the Sprint race, because, at this stage, even the Soft appears capable of being among the competitive options, particularly for those starting from the second half of the grid.

FORMULA 2

Rafael Camara will start from pole position in Sunday’s Formula 2 race. The Brazilian was the fastest in Friday’s qualifying session, finishing just over two tenths ahead of second-placed Alex Dunne. At Silverstone, Kush Maini set the third fastest time and will therefore start third on Sunday. Tomorrow, for the Sprint race, drivers will line up with the grid reversed.

FORMULA 3

Freddie Slater secured pole position on Friday in Great Britain. Slater edged out Theophile Nael, who set the second fastest time, while Louis Sharp recorded the third quickest lap. The Formula 3 Sprint race is also scheduled for tomorrow.

For the Hungarian Grand Prix, from 24 to 26 July, the last before the summer break, the softest trio of compounds has instead been chosen: C3, C4 and C5. The level of forces at the Hungaroring is not particularly high in absolute terms, but the short length of the circuit leads to significant accumulation over each lap. In terms of degradation, the high temperatures that typically represent the seasonal peak in Budapest must also be taken into account.

The British and Italian rounds are the only two races to have been held uninterrupted every year since the championship began in 1950, retaining the same title. The very first Formula 1 race at Silverstone was won on Pirelli Stella Bianca tyres by Giuseppe Farina, driving an Alfa Romeo.

The upcoming event will be the 77th edition of the British Grand Prix, the 60th under this name at Silverstone, and the 518th race in which Pirelli has been present in the championship. The track, located north of Northampton, is one of the most frequently used in the motorsport world. The circuit is 5.891 km long and the last major revision to its layout took place in 2010, when a new section between Abbey and Brooklands was introduced.

Today, the track features 18 corners (10 right-handers and 8 left-handers) some of which generate very high lateral forces, with rapid direction changes at high speed. Sequences such as Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel, combined with the straights, led Lewis Hamilton, the driver with the most wins at Silverstone, to say that driving here is like being in the cockpit of a fighter jet.

The selection for the weekend consists of the hardest compounds in the range. C1, C2 and C3 have been chosen due to the high severity of the circuit, which causes tyre degradation. The accelerations reached in some sections exceed 5g, similar to what is seen at Suzuka and Spa. The front axle is the most stressed, with the left-front tyre particularly prone to wear due to the predominance of right-hand corners.

The track surface is not abrasive and has relatively low roughness. It already offers a good level of grip thanks to the continuous use of the circuit throughout the year for both two- and four-wheel competitions.

Taking all factors into account, we expect teams to attempt to complete Sunday’s race with a one-stop strategy, using the two compounds with greater grip, C2 and C3. The latter is the only option that has shown some light graining in past years, while C1 and C2 have proved to be more mechanically consistent. The white-hard tyre is very likely to be used in FP1, as this year the weekend features a Sprint format.

Wet tyres may also come into play in Britain. For two consecutive years, it has rained on Sunday, leading drivers to use the Cinturato Intermediate tyres. The British weather is famously unpredictable, and even in summer, showers are not uncommon.

On the Tuesday and Wednesday following the race weekend, Pirelli will remain at Silverstone for development testing of next year’s dry-weather tyres, supported by Mercedes and Williams.

IN 2025

Last year’s Grand Prix featured variable weather and, throughout the first half of the race, the Cinturato Intermediate tyres were used. At the start of the formation lap, all drivers were on the green wet tyres, but before the actual start five cars switched to slicks. Rain then returned to the circuit, forcing everyone back onto intermediates. In the closing stages, conditions allowed for slicks again, with Medium and Soft compounds chosen by most drivers to reach the chequered flag.

STATISTICS

A 76-year journey through history is required to review the roll of honour of the British Grand Prix. The race has been held at Silverstone 59 times and has also taken place at Aintree for five years and Brands Hatch for twelve. The driver with the most wins at Silverstone is Lewis Hamilton with nine victories. Jim Clark and Alain Prost are next with five British Grand Prix wins each. Scuderia Ferrari holds the record among constructors with 18 wins, three more than McLaren.

THE TROPHIES

The British Grand Prix podium trophy was created by artist Paul Oz on commission from Pirelli. Starting from a digital model of a Formula 1 car’s front wing, the sculptor has shaped an organic composition in which the various elements combine to evoke the evolution of the Silverstone circuit from former airfield to modern race track. The British flag takes form through structural aluminium elements, a material historically associated with aviation, while the red and blue inserts of the Union Flag are made from carbon fibre, an iconic material of modern Formula 1 engineering, thus creating a material dialogue between past and innovation.

The Marshal Award, which will be presented to a representative of the marshals before Sunday’s drivers’ parade, has been commissioned by Pirelli from the Italian company Bartoccini Premiazioni in collaboration with Stefano Zuech. In this case too, the trophy references the Silverstone circuit, reproducing its layout, enhanced by a series of stars along its perimeter symbolising the marshals committed to ensuring safety. The front combines carbon fibre and stainless steel, while the rear features the British flag, continuing the identity reference already present in the podium trophy.

PIRELLI PODIUM CAP SPECIAL EDITION

There will be a special podium cap for the weekend in which Pirelli is the title sponsor. The drivers on the Silverstone podium this year will wear a special yellow cap featuring a houndstooth pattern, a design very popular in Britain. This special edition, designed by Denis Dekovic for Pirelli Design, is already available for purchase on the e-commerce platform https://store.pirelli.com.

The race at Spielberg took place today in conditions of extreme heat. Temperatures at the Red Bull Ring reached 36°C, while the track surface was at 55°C at the start of the Grand Prix.

On the eve of the race, the fastest strategy was predicted to be a two-stop, and that proved to be the case. Only Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly opted for a three-stop approach, while all the other drivers stopped twice.

Almost the entire grid started on Medium tyres. The only exceptions were Carlos Sainz and Gabriel Bortoleto, who started on Softs. The first four drivers across the line all adopted the same strategy, running two stints on Hard tyres after the opening stint on Mediums.

Russell secured victory with a margin of 1.611 seconds over Verstappen, while Antonelli finished just over three tenths behind the four-time world champion. Thanks to his win in Austria, Russell moves up to second in the championship, 40 points behind his team-mate. Kimi Antonelli leads the standings with 171 points.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“All three compounds available came into play today in the two- and three-stop strategies adopted by the teams at Spielberg. As expected, a one-stop strategy was not viable due to the high level of thermal degradation.

The two-stop strategies, on Hard and Medium tyres, were largely determined by the sets of tyres available to each team, carried over from Friday. The most effective approach proved to be the one that used Hard tyres for the final two stints, as adopted by the podium finishers.

Ferrari once again tried something different, stopping three times and also using the Soft, which, aided by a lower fuel load, delivered a solid performance.

While the first stop for the Ferrari drivers and Gasly was brought forward to exploit the undercut, the rest of the grid followed the pit windows we had anticipated. Conversely, the overcut attempted by some did not produce the desired results.

Even the VSC caused by Sainz did not change the picture, except perhaps for Antonelli, who pitted slightly early, losing the time advantage of stopping under neutralised conditions.

With such high track temperatures, the tyres experienced neither graining nor blistering, a sign that the development work carried out by Pirelli is clearly paying off on track.”

Formula 2

Nikola Tsolov claimed victory in the F2 Feature Race. Behind him, Gabriele Minì finished in second, while Oliver Goethe crossed the line in third. Most drivers chose to start on Supersoft tyres before switching to Softs during the mandatory pit stop. This strategy was also adopted by Tsolov and Minì, who pitted on laps eight and nine respectively. The third-placed Goethe opted for a completely different approach, starting on Softs and only pitting after 29 laps to fit Supersofts. A strategy that proved equally effective, allowing him to secure the final spot on the podium.

Formula 3

Noah Strømsted won today’s F3 Feature Race. The Trident driver managed to hold off Ugo Ugochukwu after a thrilling duel. Freddie Slater finished the race in third, also involved in an excellent battle. Fans in the grandstands witnessed a highly action-packed race, with the top 10 drivers covered by just eight seconds at the finish.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli will line up fourth on Sunday. Max Verstappen will start fifth, despite an incident on his final flying lap. His initial attempt was nonetheless enough to secure that grid position.

Russell was the fastest driver of the day and set his best time on the C5 compound. The Briton used four sets of Soft tyres during qualifying, setting the quickest lap in the final attempt on a new set. The compound proved to be the best option for a single flying lap.

The top five drivers in qualifying used Soft tyres exclusively in the third free practice session as well, in preparation for qualifying. Russell was also quickest in FP3 with a 1:07.096. Antonelli set the second-fastest time, delivering his best performance during a second run on the same set of tyres.

High temperatures are expected again at the Red Bull Ring tomorrow, as was already the case today. Today, the maximum air temperature reached 36°C, while track temperature peaked at 53°C during qualifying.

The Pirelli Pole Position Award was presented by Dominik Paris. The Italian alpine skier is a world champion in the super-G from Are 2019 and a World Cup winner in the same discipline. At the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, he won a bronze medal in the downhill.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“Tomorrow once again looks set to deliver an interesting race from a strategic perspective. According to our simulations, two-stop strategies are the competitive options. As already seen yesterday, the Medium and Hard compounds exhibit similar degradation over long runs and can therefore be considered interchangeable, with a slight grip advantage for the yellow tyre.

Starting on the C4, teams that still have two sets of Hard available could complete the race using both. Alternatively, those who have saved two sets of Medium may choose to run the C3 in the middle stint and fit a new set of C4 towards the end.

Some teams also tested the Soft in long runs today, perhaps indicating a possible use at the start, taking advantage of the extra grip. Still considering a two-stop option, its replacement could come between laps 14 and 20, barring neutralisations, switching to Medium before finishing on Hard.

There is, however, a three-stop option, again starting on the Soft, which, if well executed, could prove effective. By exploiting the strong undercut at Spielberg, some drivers may choose to anticipate their rivals with a very early first stop and then use all three available compounds over the remainder of the race.

This strategy is around a couple of seconds slower when factoring in traffic and the overtaking required, but in clean air it is actually quicker than the two-stop. Some teams may therefore be willing to take the gamble. After all, the memory is still fresh of how Hamilton secured victory in Barcelona with a similar move.”

FORMULA 2

The Formula 2 Sprint race delivered a duel between John Bennett and Sebastian Montoya. On the final lap, Bennett managed to overtake Montoya, securing the win. Behind the pair, Rafael Villagomez crossed the line in third. The entire field used Soft tyres. The Feature Race is scheduled for tomorrow.

FORMULA 3

Ernesto Rivera won the Formula 3 Sprint race at the Red Bull Ring. It marks the Mexican’s first victory in the championship. Pedro Clerot finished second behind Rivera, while Jin Nakamura took third. Pole-sitter James Wharton ultimately finished fourth.

During the first session, drivers initially focused their runs on the Medium (C4) and Hard (C3) compounds. Red Bull was the only team to take to the track straight away on the Soft (C5). By the end of FP1, however, all drivers had used the softest compound for at least one run.

If the use of the three options was evenly balanced in the opening hour, in the second session drivers favoured the Medium and Soft tyres. Antonelli set the fastest time on the C5, stopping the clock at 1:07.014. Oscar Piastri finished second, just over two-tenths adrift, while Lando Norris ended the day in third position.

The top three all completed their long runs on the Medium, a strategy adopted by most of the field, although some teams also evaluated the Soft and Hard over longer distances. This was similar to what was already seen in Barcelona and could suggest that all three options may be viable for Sunday’s race.

SIMONE BERRA – PIRELLI CHIEF ENGINEER

“Today was very useful for gathering a significant amount of data on all the compounds, both in performance runs and in long runs. The teams differed across the two sessions between those who preferred to save both sets of Hard tyres for the coming days and those who had already used up one set of the hardest compound. This could also point towards a range of different strategies for Sunday, for which there is currently quite a wide spread of possible options.

Considering the degradation exacerbated by the high temperatures and the notably abrasive surface, a two-stop Grand Prix is more likely. In terms of grip, the C3 and C4 displayed very similar behaviour, still not optimal due to a track surface that is not in the best condition but which will improve over the weekend. The Soft, on the other hand, is already delivering very good performance and, from some attempts, it even appears that drivers can improve their time on a second lap. This will obviously need to be verified in tomorrow’s qualifying.

The red tyre was not widely used in today’s long runs, so we do not yet have a clear understanding of its consistency over high mileage, as we do for the Medium and Hard. It could therefore represent the least favourable option in defining race strategies, should teams opt for a conservative approach, also considering that the forecasts indicate a further rise in temperatures.”

FORMULA 2

In qualifying, the fastest time was set by Noel Leon, who claimed his first F2 pole position. The Mexican driver stopped the clock at 1:15.544, just edging out Alex Dunne. Third place went to Nikola Tsolov. On Sunday, these drivers will start from these exact positions, while the Saturday Sprint Race will feature a reversed grid.

Over the Austrian weekend, teams can use the two softest compounds in the range: Soft and Supersoft. The latter could last 7-8 laps at the start of the race before its performance drops below that of the Soft, making a switch more beneficial in terms of pace. However, a driver’s ability to manage the tyre could extend its usage by a few laps, providing an advantage in the second part of the race. For this reason, strategies for the Feature Race tend to converge in overall race time.

FORMULA 3

As in F2, Formula 3 also saw a maiden pole position in the championship for a driver. Hiyu Yamakoshi was the fastest on track with a time of 1:21.730. As a result, the Van Amersfoort Racing driver will start from pole position on Sunday. Alongside him will be Ugo Ugochukwu, who set the second fastest time on Friday, while Tuukka Taponen secured the third quickest lap.

The compound used over the Austrian weekend is the Soft. This year, rear tyre pressures are one psi higher and therefore drivers must carefully manage tyre balance, avoiding overheating and increased wear. Those who can do this most effectively in the early stages of the race should reap the rewards in the closing laps before the chequered flag.

At Spielberg, Pirelli will bring the softest compounds in the range: C3, C4 and C5. Wear is not a decisive factor in Austria, where degradation is mainly thermal in origin. The asphalt is several years old and therefore features high levels of micro- and macro-roughness which, in itself, generates heat in the tyres.

Grip is good thanks to the rubber laid down by the numerous motorsport events hosted by the circuit throughout the year and improves over the course of the weekend, as the track evolves significantly and enhances car performance.

The traction zones also place stress on the rear tyres, which are more prone to degradation. However, drivers will need to pay attention to the front axle under downhill braking. The Red Bull Ring has an elevation change of 63 metres, making it the second circuit for altitude variation. The new power units could deliver enough power to induce locking precisely under these downhill braking phases.

Another key aspect relates to the circuit’s altitude. At over 600 metres, the thinner air results in lower downforce on the cars, which may lead to increased tyre slip.

Last year, most teams completed the race with two pit stops and all three nominated compounds were used during the Grand Prix. With the greater consistency of the current tyres, a stronger trend towards a one-stop strategy could be expected.

Temperatures will also be a factor. In late June they could be high, approaching Barcelona levels. However, the circuit is located in a mountainous area of Styria and the surrounding forests can sometimes create conditions for sudden changes in weather.

IN 2025

Last year’s Spielberg race was largely decided by two-stop strategies. Soft and Medium were the main choices on the starting grid: five drivers opted for the C5, while the others selected the C4. The drivers who finished on the podium completed their middle stint on the Hard compound before reaching the chequered flag on Medium tyres. Strategies adopted by the rest of the field varied, based on the sets of tyres available for Sunday.

STATISTICS

The Austrian Grand Prix will be staged for the 39th time. After the first race held at Zeltweg in 1964, the event moved near its current location in 1970. Eighteen editions took place at what was then known as the Österreichring until 1987; subsequent races were held after a ten-year hiatus. At the Red Bull Ring, Formula 1 also staged two editions of the Styrian Grand Prix in 2020 and 2021, organised to address calendar challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. Max Verstappen is the most successful driver at the Austrian Grand Prix with four victories, one more than Alain Prost. McLaren is the most successful constructor with seven wins, followed by Ferrari and Mercedes on six.

From a strategic standpoint, the race was extremely interesting. Hamilton adopted a three-stop strategy: the Ferrari driver started on Softs, switching to Hards on lap 11. After lap 27 he made his second stop for Mediums, which he then replaced on lap 41, during a VSC phase, once again with Hards that carried him to victory.

While the Ferrari driver used all the available compounds, Russell and Norris relied only on Mediums and Hards. Both opted for a two-stop strategy, starting on Mediums and switching to Hards for the final two stints.

On a hot day, with track temperatures reaching 53°C, strategies ranging from two to four stops were seen, with all compounds widely used. Nine drivers used each of the three compounds selected for the race weekend.

In the championship battle, Hamilton has reduced the gap to leader Kimi Antonelli. The Italian, who retired in the closing stages of the race, still leads the standings with 156 points, while Hamilton now trails by 41. George Russell occupies third place with 106 points, 50 behind the leader.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

”The Barcelona Grand Prix was one of the most interesting races since the start of the season, particularly with regard to tyre usage. Tyres played a central role: aided by pronounced degradation, due to the high temperatures and the choice of softer compounds compared to 2025, they became the key pieces in an intense game of chess, highlighting both the drivers’ skills and the teams’ strategic capabilities.

”The two-stop strategy proved very effective in terms of race pace, but the real winning move was the insight shown by some teams in opting directly for three pit stops on Sunday. Scuderia Ferrari, for example, chose to differentiate the strategies between its two drivers. Leclerc, starting from tenth position, pitted twice, while the decision to stop Lewis Hamilton three times delivered the Briton his first victory in red.

”By significantly anticipating the first stop compared to the recommended windows, the team maximised the undercut, forcing their rivals to respond on the same strategy. It was an option that Ferrari had likely already identified from the outset as the most competitive for Hamilton. The advantage was then managed all the way to the chequered flag, also thanks to the time gained during a Virtual Safety Car.

”No significant changes were observed in tyre behaviour compared to Friday’s second free practice session. Tyre management and track evolution helped to slightly reduce degradation in the final stints, as did the use of both sets of Hard tyres retained by some teams.

”The Medium was probably the most effective compound over race distance, offering an excellent balance between grip and degradation. The two Ferrari drivers demonstrated this in the third stint by adopting different strategies: before his retirement, Leclerc was unable to match his team-mate’s pace.

”All three compounds selected for the weekend were nonetheless used in the race. Even the Soft, despite its rapid performance drop-off, found a place in strategies, both at the start and in the closing stages, with mixed results.”

Formula 2

Rafael Camara successfully converted pole position into victory in the Formula 2 Feature Race at the Catalonia Grand Prix. The race was run in very hot conditions and Camara secured a dominant win by more than 12 seconds over second-placed Alex Dunne. Gabriele Minì finished third.

The Brazilian started on soft tyres before switching to Hards on lap 23. Dunne also started on Softs but stopped much earlier, on lap 13, to fit Hards. A very similar strategy was used by Minì, who pitted on lap 14 for the harder compound. Minì retains the championship lead with 86 points, followed by Tsolov on 80. Camara sits third with 69 points.

Formula 3

Theophile Nael won the Formula 3 Feature Race, narrowly holding off Hiyu Yamakoshi. The Japanese driver remained glued to Nael throughout the race right up to the chequered flag. Ugo Ugochukwu finished third. Ugochukwu remains at the top of the championship with 58 points, while Nael moves into second place following Sunday’s victory with 52 points.

Qualifying took place in very hot conditions, with ambient temperatures reaching 30°C. The mercury is not expected to drop tomorrow, with track temperatures forecast to exceed 50°C, turning the race into an intriguing strategic contest.

While teams focused mainly on race pace during Friday’s free practice sessions, Saturday’s hour was entirely devoted to qualifying performance. In the morning session, all drivers used the Soft C4. Only Nico Hülkenberg and Sergio Pérez opted for the Medium C3 before also switching to the red compound. Russell was fastest in FP3 with a 1:15.679, ahead of Oscar Piastri in second and Charles Leclerc completing the top three.

The Pirelli Pole Position Award was presented by Chris Hoy. The former track cycling professional won six Olympic gold medals and eleven world titles during his career, making him the second most decorated British athlete of all time.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

“The third free practice session was used by the teams exclusively with qualifying in mind. No one focused on long runs. Instead, everyone concentrated on single-lap performance, which they would later face across the three sessions in the afternoon.

“As already evident yesterday, and confirmed today by some isolated attempts, it is not possible to improve lap time on a second run due to the high level of thermal degradation. This is mainly due to the record track temperatures. The 53°C recorded today also explain why lap times were around nine tenths slower than simulations.

“Looking ahead to tomorrow’s race, the likely strategies involve at least two pit stops. Teams may start on a Medium-Hard combination and then decide, based on track performance, whether to finish the race on the yellow or white compound.

“It is worth noting that most teams have retained two sets of C2 from yesterday, a compound that appears particularly effective on cars with greater downforce, albeit with only slightly lower degradation than the other two.

“There is also the option of starting on the Soft, followed by Medium and Hard towards the end. A three-stop strategy with three Soft stints and one Medium does not differ significantly from these approaches. However, considering traffic and the need to overtake, it is unlikely that many teams will commit to it beforehand.”

FORMULA 2

Kush Maini claimed a dominant victory in the Formula 2 Sprint race at the Barcelona circuit. Maini crossed the line more than seven seconds clear of second-placed Gabriele Minì. Nikola Tsolov completed the podium in third after taking advantage of an off-track excursion by Colton Herta on the final lap. All drivers in the top ten adopted the same strategy, completing the entire race on the hard compound.

FORMULA 3

The Formula 3 Sprint race in Barcelona was won by James Wharton. The Prema driver managed to keep Freddie Slater, who finished second, and Gerrard Xie in third behind him. The entire field used the hard compound during the Sprint. The F3 Feature Race is scheduled for tomorrow morning, Sunday.

Seven teams therefore elected to run young drivers in the opening hour, as required by the regulations at least four times a year during FP1. Taking to the track were Fred Vesti (Mercedes), Dino Beganovic (Ferrari), Leonardo Fornaroli (McLaren), Ayumu Iwasa (Red Bull), Luke Browning (Williams), Paul Aron (Audi) and Colton Herta (Cadillac).

From a tyre perspective, all three compounds available for the weekend were used across both sessions. The Hard C2 was only run by the Haas drivers in FP1, while Max Verstappen was the sole driver to use it in FP2. In the latter part of the second session, teams focused primarily on long runs, predominantly using the Medium C3 compound.

The fastest time in FP2 was set by Lando Norris with a 1:15.426 on Soft C4. Ambient temperatures reached 29°C, with track temperatures consequently climbing to 50°C. In FP1, the quickest time was recorded by George Russell with a 1:16.363, also on the C4.

Before on-track activities got underway, the circuit’s press conference room hosted the presentation of the book “A Stir of the Soul: Pirelli’s 500 GPs in the F1 World Championship”, curated by Fondazione Pirelli and published by Marsilio Arte. The volume celebrates Pirelli’s 500 Grands Prix in the World Championship through a rich narrative of images and texts, featuring materials sourced from the Pirelli Historical Archive.

The event brought together Marco Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli Executive Vice President and Chairman of Fondazione Pirelli; Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1®; H. E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, who contributed via video; Jean Todt, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety; and Nick Heidfeld, former Formula 1 driver.

SIMONE BERRA – PIRELLI CHIEF ENGINEER

“Most teams chose not to use the Hard compound today, meaning they will retain two sets to take into the race. The few who did run it reported greater sliding compared to the two softer compounds, resulting in surface overheating that brings it closer, in terms of degradation, to the Medium and Soft.

“Overall, all compounds are showing high levels of thermal degradation, particularly on the front and rear left, due to the abrasive surface of the asphalt, second only to Bahrain, the characteristics of the circuit and the high track temperatures, which are set to increase further over the coming days. In performance runs, drivers struggled to cool the tyres sufficiently to attempt a second flying lap which, in these conditions, at best matches the previous time.

“On Sunday, we therefore expect a race with at least two pit stops. Medium and Soft, the two compounds offering the highest grip, degrade at a similar rate, although early data suggests that the yellow tyre adapts more easily to the Barcelona track. Between the two, the performance gap is in the region of five to six tenths of a second.”

FORMULA 2

In Formula 2, Rafael Camara secured pole position for Sunday’s Feature Race. With a 1:24.810, the Brazilian was the fastest driver of the day. Joshua Durksen finished in second place, 0.135 seconds behind, while third went to Alex Dunne, who was 0.225 seconds off the pace. On Saturday, however, the programme begins with the Sprint Race, which will start with a reversed grid. Noel Leon will line up on pole for that race, thanks to his tenth-place finish in qualifying.

The compounds selected for the Barcelona weekend are Hard and Soft. The Sprint Race will be contested on the harder option, with careful management of front-axle degradation required. For the Feature Race, both strategies appear viable. We expect teams to split between the Hard–Soft combination and the reverse. Starting on the red tyre offers better grip in the early stages of the race, without being particularly penalising in the event of neutralisations, thanks to the possibility of extending the stint through proper management.

FORMULA 3

On Friday, it was Theophile Nael who set the fastest time with a 1:28.263. Right behind him, Ugo Ugochukwu finished in second place, just 0.039 seconds adrift. Third place went to Hiyu Yamakoshi, who ended the session 0.135 seconds off Nael.

The compound selected for the Barcelona race weekend is the Hard, on a circuit where lateral forces on the tyres are particularly high due to the numerous high-speed corners. The front axle represents the main limitation for this very reason and will require even more careful management from the drivers. This year, moreover, rear axle pressure will be 1 psi higher than last season, with the aim of increasing degradation. Drivers will therefore need to adapt their tyre management approach; however, this change will make it easier to control the limiting axle.

The teams will head back to Catalonia this weekend for the race weekend that takes its name from the city and the autonomous community, with the national designation this season instead assigned to the new Grand Prix that will be held in Madrid in September. Compared with its original slot on the calendar, the Montmeló race has been postponed by a couple of weeks.

The compounds selected for this round are C2 for the Hard, C3 for the Medium and C4 for the Soft. This is therefore a softer trio than the usual selection for Barcelona. Given the characteristics of the current compounds, the aim is to encourage a greater number of pit stops and also the inclusion of the Hard tyre in race strategies.

The track is one of the most complete on the calendar and is 4.657 kilometres long. As well as the straights, it features 14 corners that are taken at high speeds. The lateral forces exerted on the tyres are high, particularly on the left-hand side, which is more heavily stressed by the nine right-hand corners. The most significant in this respect are Turn 3 and the final two corners, which were reprofiled in 2023 to make the entry onto the pit straight more flowing.

Tyre degradation is predominantly thermal and, as with wear, the front axle is the limiting factor. The asphalt is very abrasive due to the advanced age of the track surface. It should also be taken into account that track temperatures are likely to be higher than those recorded in recent years, given the change in the date of the race.

It will be interesting to assess what upgrades the teams bring this weekend, traditionally one that is rich in developments to the cars. These could also involve the wheel rims, which have a direct impact on heat exchange between the asphalt, the tyres and the braking system. An easy performance benchmark for the teams will be the January tests held at the same circuit.

Pirelli will remain at Montmeló on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 June for a session of slick tyre testing. Scuderia Ferrari, Aston Martin and Cadillac will take part in the two-day test.

IN 2025

Eighteen drivers on the grid started the race on the Soft tyre, using a mix of new and used sets. The only driver to start from the pit lane, Yuki Tsunoda, opted instead for a set of Mediums. The majority of the central stint was completed on the yellow-marked compound, before switching back to the Soft for the final phase. A Safety Car in the closing laps prompted all drivers to make an additional stop. The Red Bull drivers in total made four pit stops, while the others stopped three times. The only driver to use the Hard tyre during the Grand Prix was Max Verstappen, in his final stint.

STATISTICS

The Grand Prix in Spain is staging its fifty-sixth edition as a round of the Formula 1 World Championship. To date, the race has been held at five different circuits since its first edition in 1951: twice at Pedralbes, four times at Montjuïc Park, five at Jerez de la Frontera, nine at Jarama and thirty-five at Barcelona. Two drivers are level for the highest number of victories in the Spanish Grand Prix: Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, both with six wins, two more than Max Verstappen, who stands on four. Ferrari is the most successful constructor with 12 victories, followed by McLaren with nine.

Max Verstappen, who lined up second on the grid, had a difficult start and was forced to stop his car in the pits at the end of the opening lap due to mechanical problems, bringing his race to an early end. Behind Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton finished second, with Isack Hadjar taking third place.

Almost all drivers started the race on the Medium compound. Lewis Hamilton was the first of the top three finishers to pit, on lap 28, while Antonelli made his stop on lap 37. Both switched from Medium to Hard tyres. Taking advantage of a Safety Car on lap 50, both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc made an additional stop.

After the neutralisation period, however, it was Leclerc who triggered another Safety Car intervention. The subsequent red flag allowed race leader Antonelli to fit a set of Soft tyres. The rest of the field also opted to switch to the same compound during the race suspension.

At the standing restart following the red flag, Antonelli got away perfectly once again, securing the victory. Hamilton also made an excellent start, finishing second, with Hadjar third behind them.

The longest stint on the C3 was completed by Esteban Ocon, who ran for 50 laps, while Arvid Lindblad covered 65 laps on the C4, the highest number of laps on that compound. The longest run on the C5 was recorded by Fernando Alonso, with 55 laps.

In the championship battle, this victory saw Antonelli, now on 156 points, extend his advantage over second-placed Lewis Hamilton. The Italian leads with a margin of 66 points, while George Russell follows in third position with 88 points.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

”Today the drivers did not hold back on track and tried to extract the maximum from their cars. This is reflected in the levels of tyre degradation observed, which were higher than in previous days and, in some cases, led to performance drop-offs. The decision not to preserve the tyres probably pushed teams towards more conservative strategic choices. Almost everyone opted to start on the Medium, before choosing the Hard for the second stint. However, some long runs on the Soft, such as those completed by Aston Martin, clearly showed that the red tyre could be a valid alternative. The Soft was also the option chosen by everyone for the restart. The driver who made the best use of all three compounds was the winner himself, Kimi Antonelli, who set the fastest times of the Grand Prix on Hard, Medium and Soft, dominating the race as well. Overall, the drivers managed to bring the tyres up to temperature more easily, perhaps thanks to the continuous laps around the circuit. The limiting axle was obviously the rear, due to the numerous traction phases during the race, and it was also the most prone to wear. It was an interesting event, especially in the second half, which was full of twists and featured a new grid restart”.

Formula 2

Rafael Câmara started from pole position in the Monaco Feature Race but was unable to convert it into victory. In the closing stages, the Brazilian ran wide at Sainte Devote, allowing Nikola Tsolov to take the lead. The incident effectively marked the end of Câmara’s race. Behind Tsolov, Alex Dunne crossed the line in second position, with Dino Beganovic third at the finish.

The three drivers on the podium adopted the same strategy, starting on the Soft compound before switching to the Supersoft. Tsolov pitted on lap 32, Dunne on lap 33 and Beganovic on lap 28. Several drivers significantly delayed their pit stop in the hope of a late Safety Car, with five of them completing as many as 40 of the scheduled 42 laps on the Soft compound.

After the Monaco Grand Prix, Gabriele Minì leads the championship standings with 63 points. Tsolov follows just one point behind in second position, while Martinius Stenshorne sits third with 48 points.

Formula 3

On the streets of Monaco, Brando Badoer claimed his first victory in the Formula 3 Championship. The Italian started from second on the grid but immediately managed to overtake poleman Théophile Naël. From that moment on, Badoer never relinquished the lead of the race. Naël finished second, with Freddie Slater completing the podium in third position. The gap between Badoer and Naël at the finish was just over half a second. Naël applied strong pressure in the closing stages, but Badoer defended the lead with composure, securing his first win in the championship.

Qualifying took place in perfect conditions, with clear skies and ambient temperatures of around 23 °C. All drivers ran the C5 compound, exploiting it to the maximum. In Q1, some were able to complete multiple flying laps on the same set of tyres. In Q3, the top three all carried out an out-lap followed by a fast preparation lap before their decisive attempt.

Earlier, in the third free practice session, the drivers also ran exclusively on Soft tyres. Track temperatures reached 48 °C. Despite an interruption caused by an accident involving Oliver Bearman and the resulting red flag, the teams were able to complete a good number of laps to prepare as effectively as possible for the subsequent qualifying session. Once again, Antonelli was the fastest, setting a time of 1:12.720.

The Pirelli Pole Position Award was presented to the Mercedes driver by Eileen Gu. The 22-year-old is the only athlete to have competed in all three freestyle skiing disciplines, winning at least one medal in each. Her palmarès includes three golds and three silvers achieved between the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games and Milano-Cortina 2026.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

There is no other race weekend in which Saturday is as important as the Grand Prix itself. At Monaco, in fact, the position secured in qualifying often determines the final result on Sunday, as overtaking is extremely difficult.

It is therefore clear that those who set the best times today will already start with an advantage, regardless of the strategies devised by their respective teams. The low tyre degradation traditionally seen on the streets of the Principality allows the teams to make a single stop tomorrow to comply with the obligation to use two compounds.

Strategies can be built using all the tyres available, with combinations that are very close to one another in terms of performance. A couple of options could feature a final stint on the Hard, starting on either Soft or Medium, with the pit stop respectively between laps 29 and 35 or between laps 33 and 39.

However, we believe that the teams could make effective use of the higher grip offered by the two softer compounds. The extensive use of the C5 in Montreal and again today should have provided them with the data needed to integrate it successfully into the Monaco race as well. By exploiting the initial grip of the Soft, they could then switch to the Medium between laps 31 and 37.

It should be borne in mind that there are many possible variants and, above all, that the pit stop windows can also be significantly influenced by red flags and neutralisations. One only has to recall what happened two years ago, when a collision on the opening lap sent everyone immediately into the pits to make what turned out to be the only stop of the day for the majority of drivers.

FORMULA 2

The Formula 2 Sprint Race was won by Noel Leon. The Mexican driver managed to take the chequered flag ahead of Roman Bilinski in second place, with Gabriele Minì finishing third. The top three all ran on Soft tyres. Leon was able to build a lead of almost 3.5 seconds over Bilinski. The Feature Race is scheduled for Sunday, with the starting grid determined by the results of Friday’s qualifying session. In that session, Rafael Câmara was the fastest and will therefore start from pole position in Sunday’s race.

FORMULA 3

Hiyu Yamakoshi (Van Amersfoort Racing) managed to convert pole position into victory in the Sprint Race. This was the Japanese driver’s first career win, as he kept Lucas Oil and Bruno del Pino behind him on the streets of Monaco. There was also a lengthy red-flag period during the race, caused by an accident on the opening lap, but this did not distract Yamakoshi from claiming his maiden success. On Sunday, Théophile Nael will start from pole position in the Feature Race.

In FP2, all drivers, with the exception of Lando Norris and the two Aston Martin cars, ran both the C4 and C5 compounds. Norris was forced to stop his car after just seven laps on the Medium compound, while the Aston Martin drivers completed the entire session using only the Softs.

Hamilton stopped the clocks at 1:13.026, Leclerc at 1:13.137 and Verstappen at 1:13.194. As is tradition on Fridays at the Monte Carlo street circuit, the drivers completed a large number of laps to build confidence with the track: Hamilton and Leclerc, for example, both covered 34 laps, while Verstappen completed 33 laps in the second session.

While the Ferrari drivers completed the majority of their running on the C4, Verstappen worked mainly with the C5. The three fastest drivers also reflected the general trend across the rest of the field, which showed a fairly balanced usage between the two compounds.

The Hard C3 was instead used during the early phases of the first session, after which almost everyone switched to the Medium. Only the Cadillac drivers used the Soft tyres in FP1. At the end of the first hour, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were the fastest, followed by Max Verstappen in third place.

SIMONE BERRA – PIRELLI CHIEF ENGINEER

Most teams started the Monaco weekend using the Hard compound, with the aim of assessing track conditions and allowing the drivers to build confidence with the circuit. The C3 will in all likelihood be the least-used option in the race, in a scenario that should point towards a one-stop strategy, barring any neutralisations.

Over the course of the day, the other two compounds proved to be consistent. The long runs completed by some drivers did not show any particular degradation, while graining, although it appeared on some front axles, did not impact performance.

Today’s fastest lap times are just three tenths of a second away from the quickest lap indicated by the teams’ simulations. It is therefore plausible that, already in qualifying, also thanks to the further evolution of the track, which is traditionally very pronounced in the Principality, lap times quicker than the forecasts could be recorded.

To achieve a strong qualifying performance, it will be crucial to bring the Soft compound into the correct operating window. Teams may adopt different approaches to achieve this, taking into account the unique characteristics of the circuit. In strategic evaluations, managing traffic will also be critical, particularly in light of the presence of two additional cars on track this year.

FORMULA 2

Despite an impact with the barriers at the start of the session and the resulting forced stop in the pit lane for several minutes, Rafael Camara still managed to secure pole position. A pole of great importance on the streets of Monaco, where overtaking is notoriously very difficult.

In Formula 2, qualifying is split into two groups, and it was Nikola Tsolov, running in Group B, who claimed second position. The Bulgarian was just over a tenth of a second slower than Camara and will therefore start from the second grid slot in Sunday’s race.

Although Alex Dunne was faster than Tsolov in qualifying, the Irishman still has a grid penalty to serve and will therefore not start from second place on Sunday. Third place on the grid will be occupied by Dino Beganovic.

The compounds selected for the Monaco round are the two softest in the range: Soft and Supersoft. Most drivers will start the main race on the Softs, waiting for a neutralisation or a red flag to make the switch and finish on the Supersofts. As we know, the probability of a Safety Car is high and strategy, including the possibility of an overcut, will be crucial to bringing home a positive result.

FORMULA 3

In the second race weekend of the season for the Formula 3 drivers, Théophile Nael will start from pole position in Sunday’s race. The Campos driver was the fastest in Friday’s qualifying session. Brando Badoer set the second-fastest time and will therefore line up P2 on Sunday, while Freddie Slater qualified in third position.

The compound chosen for the Monaco event is the Soft. The characteristics of the street circuit and its low speeds mean that degradation does not have a significant impact, allowing drivers to push for the entire duration of the race and defend their position if necessary, despite overtaking being very difficult. Neutralisations, which are frequent on this track, allow drivers to recover performance and provide an advantage to those who are able to bring the tyre up to temperature most effectively at the restart.

The carriageway, which essentially coincides with the two lanes of normal urban traffic, is extremely narrow and almost entirely lacking run-off areas. Safety barriers line the entire track and are often brushed by the drivers, who try to gain even a few centimetres by following the ideal racing line.

The average speed maintained over the 78 laps of the circuit is the lowest of the Formula 1 World Championship: in some sections the cars slow to around 50 km/h. From a technical point of view, the Monaco weekend is among the most complex for the teams, who are required to set up their cars with maximum aerodynamic downforce and to focus everything on qualifying in order to secure a good grid position, given that overtaking opportunities are extremely limited.

For Monaco, the softest tyre range is always selected, this year C3, C4 and C5, to ensure maximum grip on a very smooth asphalt surface. For this edition, the road surface has been resurfaced between Turns 19 and 1, between Turn 7 and the entrance to the tunnel, as well as on the entry to and exit from the pit lane. Graining may occur, but it should not significantly affect tyre behaviour, as in the Principality the tyres are subjected mainly to traction-related loads.

The low level of tyre degradation on the Monaco track traditionally results in a one-stop race. An exception was last year, when the FIA introduced an experimental regulatory change obliging drivers to use at least three different sets of tyres, thereby enforcing at least two pit stops. The rule was subsequently abandoned and the classic format returns.

Strategies are influenced above all by neutralisations and red flags, which are quite frequent given the high probability of contact with the barriers and the difficulty of removing cars without interrupting the race. In 2024, for example, a red flag on the opening lap allowed all drivers to immediately comply with the requirement to use both compounds, making it possible to complete the remainder of the Grand Prix with a split strategy between Medium and Hard.

IN 2025

The race was characterised by the requirement to use at least three different tyre sets, including one from the two mandatory specifications (Medium and Hard). Most drivers opted for combinations of Medium and Hard, while the drivers from the six teams that had only one set each of C5 and C4 ran all three compounds (including C6 Soft). Stint lengths varied widely: some drivers ran the white-marked tyre for much of the race, while others preferred to split the Grand Prix into three more evenly balanced segments.

STATISTICS

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the longest-standing events in Formula 1 history. This year’s edition will be the 72nd in the Principality. The most successful driver remains Ayrton Senna with six victories, one more than Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher. McLaren is the most successful constructor with 16 wins, followed by Ferrari on 10.

PODIUM CAP SPECIAL EDITION

The Pirelli Podium Cap for Monaco draws inspiration from the elegance that has always defined the Principality. The special edition cap, designed by Denis Dekovic for Pirelli Design, comes in deep red and champagne colours, evoking luxury and exclusivity. The Podium Cap is already available for purchase on the Pirelli e-commerce platform: https://store.pirelli.com.  

Tyre choices at the start were varied, as a still slightly damp track prompted several drivers to fit Intermediates. This was the case for the McLaren pair, Audi, Cadillac and Carlos Sainz in the Williams. With the track drying quickly, everyone switched to slick tyres within the first three laps. Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto and Liam Lawson (as well as Arvin Lindblad, who did not start) opted for the Medium on the grid, while the rest of the field started on the Soft.

For the majority of drivers, a one-stop strategy proved to be the right call. The first four finishers, starting on the C5, took advantage of a Virtual Safety Car to make their pit stop on lap 31 and switch to the C4.

Alpine’s strategy was also noteworthy, with both drivers starting on the Medium before switching to the Hard, allowing them to finish in sixth and eighth positions. All the compounds selected for this weekend therefore proved to be valid options on the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal.

With this victory, Antonelli, now on 131 points, strengthens his lead in the championship title fight. The Italian now has a 43-point advantage over second-placed George Russell. Leclerc follows, 56 points behind Antonelli. The next F1 round takes place in two weeks’ time at the Monaco Grand Prix.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

It did not rain during the Canadian Grand Prix, but in the end rain was still, in some respects, a key factor in the race, at least as far as the start was concerned.

The decision by four teams, including McLaren, to fit Intermediates in anticipation of a sudden change in the weather was a gamble that did not pay off, as it became immediately clear once the lights went out that the race would be run on a dry track.

The low temperatures pushed the remaining teams to rely on the softest compound which, thanks to its greater grip, helped the tyres reach their operating window, despite the additional difficulties caused by the two extra formation laps.

As we described yesterday, the C5 was the joker of this Sunday thanks to its consistency, which allowed drivers to run until the first neutralisation, but the theoretically quickest strategy nevertheless confirmed its effectiveness. This is demonstrated by the positions gained by the two Alpine drivers, who started on the Medium and finished the race in the points on the Hard.

Graining, despite the cold conditions, was very limited and did not affect tyre performance over a stint, allowing the drivers to focus on on-track battles, which once again delivered an entertaining Grand Prix.

The fastest lap today, set by race winner Kimi Antonelli, was less than a tenth of a second slower than the quickest race lap recorded in 2025 by his team-mate Russell, a sign that car development is progressing at full speed and in the right direction.

After an exciting race, Martinius Stenshorne secured victory in the Feature Race in Canada. Alex Dunne added to the joy for Rodin Motorsport by finishing second. Behind the two team-mates, Gabriele Minì crossed the line in third position.

Conditions during the Feature Race at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit were very challenging. In addition to a few drops of rain, strong winds made life difficult for the drivers. This led to several incidents and numerous Safety Car interventions. In the end, the top three finishers adopted the same strategy, starting on the Supersoft before switching to the Soft.

At the end of an intense race, Stenshorne kept his cool in the most difficult conditions to take the win. Thanks to his third place, Minì now moves into the lead of the championship standings. With 57 points, the Italian holds a 10-point advantage over Nikola Tsolov.

Russell set his fastest lap on the second flying run, using the same set of C5 tyres, earning him the right to start from the front of the grid on Sunday. Several drivers went quicker on their second push lap with the same set of tyres, making the session uncertain right up to the final seconds.

The Pirelli Pole Position Award was presented by Giacomo Gianniotti. The actor, of Italian heritage, grew up in Canada and achieved worldwide fame thanks to the series Grey’s Anatomy, in which he played doctor Andrew DeLuca. He currently stars in the crime series Wild Cards on Netflix.

The Mercedes driver also claimed victory in today’s Sprint, making the most of the pole position he secured for the short race on Friday. Second place went to Norris, with Antonelli finishing third. The Mercedes drivers opted to start on a used set of Medium tyres, while Norris started on a new set of the same compound. Arvin Lindblad, running the Hard, finished in eighth position, while Sergio Perez, classified eleventh, completed today’s race on the Soft.

DARIO MARRAFUSCHI – PIRELLI MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR

The choice of compound for today’s Sprint was almost uniform across the grid, with a few exceptions that ultimately allowed all three compounds to be seen in action. Over the distance of the short race, the Soft showed linear and limited degradation, a sign that it could represent a useful joker in the strategies for Sunday’s race, should the track remain dry.

For tomorrow, the one-stop strategy is clearly the best option, with the Medium-Hard combination indicated as the quickest on paper. This conservative approach, which we believe will be the most widely adopted by the teams in the absence of rain, calls for the pit stop to take place between laps 21 and 27.

Slower than the previous option is the Hard-Medium strategy, which allows the first stint to be extended until laps 38 to 44. Depending on grid position, some drivers could benefit from starting on the Soft, bringing forward the pit stop to between laps 17 and 23, before completing the final stint on the Hard.

There is, however, a high probability of rain tomorrow, which opens up the use of the two wet-weather products. From Miami onwards, Pirelli has extended the authorisation for the use of tyre blankets to the Full Wets as well, setting them at 40 °C for two hours. A temperature increase had already been adopted for the Intermediates, which can be heated to 70 °C for two hours, as is the case with slicks.

The use of tyre blankets certainly makes it easier to bring wet tyres up to temperature in the opening laps, even in low-grip conditions, such as low ambient temperatures or due to the characteristics of the circuit itself. Both factors apply at Montreal, where the relatively low lateral forces make it difficult to generate tyre temperature, as seen in today’s qualifying, and where forecasts indicate a further drop in minimum temperatures.

Noel Leon claimed his first Formula 2 victory by winning the Sprint Race in Canada. The driver remained calm and focused despite multiple safety car periods during the Sprint on the Gilles Villeneuve circuit. Finishing almost four seconds behind, Gabriele Minì took second place. The Italian had started from pole position but was unable to convert his front-row start into a win. However, Minì managed to keep Martinius Stenshorne behind him, with the Norwegian finishing third. The F2 drivers will be back on track tomorrow for the main race of the weekend.

As always in Sprint Qualifying, the first two sessions were run exclusively on one set per session of the Medium compound (C4). The ten drivers who progressed to SQ3 were then able to fit a new set of Soft tyres (C5), completing two flying laps.

On his second push lap, Russell set the fastest time of 1:12.965. He was therefore presented with the Pirelli Sprint Qualifying Award by Pirelli Motorsport Director Dario Marrafuschi.

In the first free practice session, which was interrupted twice by red flags, all three compounds were used. The Hard was the most popular choice, tested by every team except Racing Bulls and Cadillac. The Soft was the second most used option, while eight drivers also included the Medium in their programmes.

SIMONE BERRA – PIRELLI CHIEF ENGINEER

As is usually the case on Sprint-format weekends, the majority of teams used a set of Hard tyres for most of the free practice session, but the programmes varied from team to team. Some combined long runs with performance runs, while others preferred to focus mainly on the latter, probably with the aim of carefully assessing whether the developments introduced after Miami were effective on track.

It is clear that the cars have fully capitalised on the upgrades introduced in Montreal. Taking lap times as a reference, the gaps are markedly smaller than the roughly two-second margin to last year’s benchmarks that teams had projected in their pre-event simulations.

Graining, which has always been a feature of this circuit, is limited to the front-left tyre and therefore does not affect the rear axle, which is the limiting factor at this track. The characteristics of the circuit also provide little energy to the tyres, meaning they require extra care to be brought into the correct operating window.

We saw this in Sprint Qualifying, where careful management of the outlap was crucial in extracting the best lap from the two softer compounds. The same will apply tomorrow in qualifying for the race, although drivers should find the track in better condition than today. The asphalt is constantly evolving and will continue to improve over the coming days.

Laurens van Hoepen took the first pole position of his Formula 2 career. The Dutch driver was more than two tenths of a second quicker than second-placed Rafael Camara. Behind the pair, Alex Dunne set the third-fastest time of the day. With this pole, van Hoepen caps a particularly positive week, which followed his very first test at the wheel of a Formula 1 car. The Formula 2 Sprint race will take place on Saturday and will feature a reversed starting grid.

The compounds selected for Canada are the two softest in the range. In Sunday’s Feature Race, the fastest strategy on paper should be based on the Soft and Supersoft combination. One of the most likely variables at this street circuit is neutralisations. The short pit lane time could represent an advantage both for those who manage to extend the stint on the Soft tyre while waiting for a safety car, and for those who opt to line up on the grid from the outset on the purple-marked tyres, hoping for an early neutralisation.