Pirelli unveils tyre lineup for first three races of 2026 F1 season

The Italian manufacturer has released a comprehensive list covering all the compounds that will be used throughout the calendar.

The upcoming season, set to bring sweeping changes to the sport, will also see updates extend to the tyres. For the first three races, teams will need to carefully plan their strategies around the available tyre compounds.

The season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from 6-8 March and will feature the C3, C4, and C5 tyres from Pirelli’s range.

The next race, at the Shanghai International Circuit in China from 13-16 March, will feature slightly harder compounds, with C2, C3, and C4 selected. The decision takes into account the lateral and longitudinal tyre demands, as well as the characteristics of the asphalt.

The third race of 2026, in Suzuka, Japan, will feature the hardest tyres in next season’s Pirelli range: C1, C2, and C3. This choice reflects the challenging nature of the circuit and expected tyre degradation.

The 2026 season will begin with three pre-season testing sessions: one in Barcelona from 26-30 January, followed by two in Bahrain from 11-13 and 18-20 February, before lights out at Albert Park, Australia.

Earlier, Pirelli announced it had removed the C6 compound from its 2026 range.

The C6 tyre, the softest in Pirelli’s 2025 lineup, had come under scrutiny from drivers, including Max Verstappen, who claimed that its intended purpose was not being met.

With the post-2025 season finale action and reaction continuing, our paddock update is the place to be.

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