Pirelli selects C3, C4 and C5 tyres for 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Softest tyre range selected for Baku

Pirelli has confirmed the tyre allocation for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with the Formula 1 field set to use the three softest compounds in the range: the C3 hard, C4 medium and C5 soft.

The selection represents a change from last year’s Azerbaijan event, when the compounds were one step softer and included the C6. That tyre was not ultimately used during the 2025 race.

Teams receive eight sets of soft tyres

Each driver will have two sets of the white-marked hard tyre, three sets of the yellow-marked medium and eight sets of the red-marked soft. The green intermediate and blue full-wet tyres will also be available if rain affects the weekend.

An additional set of soft tyres is reserved for drivers who reach Q3. If the race is held in dry conditions, every driver must use at least two different slick compounds.

Low degradation could favour a one-stop race

Pirelli expects the relatively smooth, low-abrasion Baku asphalt to produce low wear and degradation, making a one-stop strategy the most likely approach. The C5 could be capable of particularly long stints, while many teams may choose to avoid the hard compound during the race.

Sections of Turns 2, 3 and 4 have been resurfaced, but Pirelli does not expect the limited work to significantly alter tyre behaviour. Grip levels are likely to be low early in the weekend before track evolution accelerates as rubber builds up on the surface.

Some graining could appear during the opening sessions, although it is not expected to become a decisive performance factor. Instead, temperature management could be the central tyre challenge.

Long straight may increase lock-up risk

The lengthy full-throttle run from the final corner to Turn 1 is expected to cool the tyres, a phenomenon reinforced by developments in wheel-rim design. That cooling could increase the risk of front-axle lock-ups under heavy braking.

Ambient conditions may help control overheating. Although Baku generally has a warm climate, buildings around the street circuit create shaded sections that can limit track-temperature increases.