Pirelli has confirmed that it will bring its softest tyre compounds for this weekend’s Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, including the scarcely used C5 compound.
The move means that the C5 tyre will make its 2024 competitive debut this weekend at Albert Park.
While the construction of the C5 tyre remains unchanged since 2023, teams only ran the softest compound in Pirelli’s range for a total of 140km across the three days of pre-season testing in Bahrain.
In Bahrain, Lewis Hamilton was the only driver to complete a true long run on the C5 tyre while Williams mainly used the compound for a series of installation laps.
In addition to the C5 tyre, Pirelli will also bring its C4 and C3 constructions to form a softer selection compared to last year’s running of the event which saw the C2, C3 and C4 feature.
Pirelli last brought its softest compound to Melbourne in 2022 alongside the C2 and C3, leaving out the C4.
The Italian tyre manufacturer said that its decision to go with a softer selection was taken after analysing last year’s race which centered around the C2 compound.
In 2023, 10 drivers ran the C2 for 47 of the 58 laps while three drivers managed over 50 laps on the compound in a race that saw three safety cars, three red flags, two standing starts and one rolling start.
Historically, the Albert Park circuit has favoured a one-stop strategy but Pirelli hopes that the move to a softer tyre nomination will help inspire a variety of strategies.
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