Bahrain GP: Latest Tyre Talk

McLaren drivers have made the most aggressive tyre choice for the Bahrain Grand Prix in just over a weeks time.

With the opening race of the season finished, all eyes now turn to Bahrain.

The three sets of tyres available are; Medium, Soft, Supersoft.

McLaren is sending both their drivers to the Bahrain circuit with nine sets of supersoft each. They are the only team to do this.

The big three have made similar choices. The World Champion will have 7 sets of super softs, 4 sets of softs and 2 sets of mediums. Meanwhile, teammate Bottas has selected 1 less medium but 1 more soft.

Ferrari and Red Bull have matched Lewis Hamilton’s tyre options.

Pirelli boss Mario Isola said: “The race (Australian GP) went as we expected, looking at the numbers we collected on Friday.

“Obviously the exceptions at the beginning were for a two-stop strategy but then, in general, we saw that we had reduced degradation compared with the numbers that we had before the race.

“All the three compounds were race compounds, so we didn’t have one of them out of the game.

“We didn’t see graining, we didn’t see blistering, just a few cases but nothing that could impact performance.”

Isola remains cautious going to the Sakhir track as it has been proven to throw up a few challenges.

“Bahrain is different, it’s hotter, and it’s a lot more about traction, so usually we experience more degradation from the rear. That’s why we decided to use the medium, soft and super soft.

“Last year with one step harder we had a mix between one and two stops, so this year with one step softer it should be a mix between one and two, or more towards two stops.

“Obviously we have to consider a limitation for Bahrain, it’s rear degradation.”