Pirelli has announced the compounds it will be bringing to the remaining Formula 1 races before the summer break, with new choices for the British and Belgian Grands Prix.
The Italian rubber giants have stuck to the status quo for the Austrian Grand Prix [27-29 June], with Cs 3, 4 and 5 remaining.
The Hungarian Grand Prix [1-3 August] follows suit, as per 2024 also, but for Silverstone and Spa, attempts have been made to spice up the action.
Cs 2, 3 and 4 will be used for the British Grand Prix going one compound softer than last season’s race weekend, and for Belgium, the C1 Hard comes in, in place of of C2.
This confirms previous indications from Pirelli that it was planning to bring rubber that are not in consecutive sets, ergo skipping a compound.
When asked by Motorsport Week at last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix as to whether this would make things more interesting, Aston Martin Team Principal Andy Cowell said that “all the strategy groups are sat working out what to do for this weekend and some will ace it, some won’t, but there’ll be variety and that means we’ll be providing greater entertainment.
“Missing a step in the compounds is a similar route to doing that,” he expanded.
“So, yeah, that’ll be great to see. It’ll be great to see the strategy group scratching their heads and working out what to do.”
Williams boss James Vowles remarked that he is pleased to no longer be a strategist on the pit wall, stating the choices will cause significant dilemmas for teams.
“Exactly that,” he said in agreement with Cowell. “This happened a few years ago so it’s not the first time we’ve skipped a compound step.
“But I’m glad I don’t do strategy anymore and I wish them all the best and I’ll be by their side, whatever happens.”
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