Navigating the Challenges of the New Soft-Compound Tyre in Formula 1

The historic Imola circuit is hosting Formula 1’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend, and teams are grappling with Pirelli’s new C6 soft-compound tyre. Williams boss James Vowles has issued a warning that the tyre might not deliver over an entire lap of the challenging track.

First Impressions of the New Tyre during Practice

During practice, teams got their first taste of the new C6 soft-compound Pirellis. Initial grip levels appeared strong, but drivers have been cautioned about protecting the new rubber. “The car’s been pretty good all weekend,” Vowles told Sky TV after final practice in Italy, “but that soft tyre is tricky.

Yesterday, the team didn’t manage to extract a lap time from the soft tyre. The time set was on medium tyres, and today, many cars have been going off the track, and we were struggling as well. So, while it’s great to have the C6 here, we need to learn how to use it before Monaco, but it’s tricky to get all the lap time out of it.

Maximizing Performance from the New Soft-Compound Tyres

When asked about maximizing performance from the new soft-compound tyres, Vowles suggested that “managing your tyre enthusiasm” could be crucial for making the rubber last over the 4.9km circuit. “It’s a very soft compound,” he added. “So, as you get towards the end of the lap, it starts to overheat, even by the last two corners it is. You sort of have to feel your way up to the limit, but not go over it. That’s the tricky bit.

The Short Lifespan of the New Compound and Its Impact on Qualifying

The short lifespan of the new compound means that unlocking its performance in qualifying will be crucial for securing a good grid position. This could prove vital as Imola, like Monaco next weekend, is predicted to be a race that’s “a little bit more about qualifying,” Vowles added.

Strategies for the Race

The long pitlane in Imola and the higher time lost in a stop mean that teams are banking on a one-stop strategy for the race. However, Williams boss hasn’t ruled out gambling on a different strategy. “You can see today everyone saved two hard tyres,” he said. “You don’t do that just for using them to sit under the garage. It’s probably an expectation. It’s a little bit borderline one-stop, two-stop. So, answering your question, I think there’s something in there.