George Russell has questioned Pirelli’s decision to debut the C6 tyre compound for this weekend’s Formula 1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.
The all-new Soft compound has made its debut at the famed Italian circuit this weekend, with the C5 and C4 compounds the Medium and Hard options.
Pirelli wrote in its pre-race notes that the new tyre “could provide even more grip over a flying lap, especially as the Imola surface is less abrasive than average,” hence the decision to debut it for this weekend.
But Russell conveyed scepticism at the idea, telling media including Motorsport Week that a rethink on the allocations might have given those in attendance at Imola may have been treated to more on-track action pre-race had the choice been different.
“I do feel the concept of going softer to create more variety in the race is the right idea,” the Mercedes driver said.
“But we sort of pre-empted this — that there will be many tracks where the C5 is better than the C6.
“So, then it begs the question: do you want to go back to the alternative tyre allocation where you’ve got to do a Hard, Medium, Soft in qualifying?
“And then you have more sensible tyres during practice sessions — then we can do more laps, the fans can watch us drive more.
“I feel that would be a sensible midpoint — sort of mandating the Hard, Medium, Soft for the three sessions.
“Otherwise, based on today, next time we go to a relatively medium-high speed circuit with a C6, everyone will be qualifying on a C5, and it shouldn’t be like that.”
Russell’s Q3 gamble ‘a risk worth taking’
Russell opted to use the Mediums on his final run in Q3, which paid dividends in the end, displacing Lando Norris to take third behind Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen.
The Briton took the experience of using the C5s during the free practice sessions earlier in the weekend into account when making the decision.
Acknowledging the decision was in many ways a gamble, Russell was ultimately happy, having found “the sweet spot,” his Q3 time being his quickest of the weekend by far.
“No, that was always a plan from before the session,” he said when asked if the call was a late one.
“I felt quite strong on that tyre yesterday and today. It was a bit of a risk because nine times out of 10, that will be the start tyre or we will use that tyre at some point in the race.
“So, in the unlikely event of a puncture or a flat spot, you’re pretty destroyed because then you’d have to use a C6 soft tyre in the race.
“It didn’t come without any risk, but it was a risk worth taking. We wanted to put it all on the table and I’m pretty happy with P3.”
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