Pirelli selects C2, C3 and C4 compounds for Sepang-hosted Bahrain Grand Prix

Pirelli confirms aggressive tyre range for Malaysia return

Following last weekend’s dramatic race in Azerbaijan, the Formula 1 grid heads to Sepang International Circuit for the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix, with tyre supplier Pirelli confirming the compounds that will be available for F1’s return to Malaysia after a nine-year absence.

The nominated range for the weekend is C2, C3 and C4, designated respectively as the hard, medium and soft compounds.

Allocation and rules

Drivers will receive two sets of the hard tyre, marked white, three sets of the medium tyre, marked yellow, and eight sets of the soft tyre, marked red, as well as access to the green intermediate tyre and the blue full wet tyre should they be required.

An extra set of softs is reserved for those who reach Q3 in qualifying, while all drivers must use at least two different slick compounds during the race, provided the track is dry.

Pirelli preview

“It is a track that generates medium energy levels through the tyres, placing it in a severity range comparable to Spa-Francorchamps and Shanghai,” Pirelli’s weekend preview reads. “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.

Data deficit

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.”