Pirelli Confirms 2026 F1 Tyre Compounds for Australian, Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix

Pirelli has officially announced the tyre compound selections for the opening three races of the 2026 Formula 1 season, offering an early glimpse into how teams will approach strategy under the sport’s new technical regulations.

All five new slick compounds will be in action across the Australian Grand Prix, Chinese Grand Prix and Japanese Grand Prix, allowing Pirelli to evaluate tyre performance in competitive conditions from the very start of the season. As in 2025, the nominations span from the hardest to the softest compounds.

Australian Grand Prix 2026: C3, C4 and C5

For the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne (6–8 March 2026), Pirelli has selected the C3 (hard), C4 (medium) and C5 (soft) compounds.

The same combination in 2024 resulted in a two-stop race strategy, with teams using all three compounds. Earlier this year, however, changing weather conditions led to a race dominated by intermediate tyres, with slicks viable only during the middle phase of the Grand Prix.

Chinese Grand Prix 2026: C2, C3 and C4

The Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai (13–16 March 2026) will feature C2, C3 and C4, representing the middle range of Pirelli’s tyre spectrum.

The 5.451-km Shanghai International Circuit places average lateral and longitudinal loads on tyres, with the left-hand side experiencing the highest wear. Teams had to adapt to newly resurfaced asphalt in 2025, and Shanghai is set to host the opening Sprint weekend of the season once again in 2026.

Japanese Grand Prix 2026: C1, C2 and C3

For Suzuka (27–29 March 2026), one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar, Pirelli has nominated its hardest compounds: C1, C2 and C3.

In 2025, low track temperatures and reduced graining allowed drivers to complete the race with just one pit stop, extending stints on the hard and medium tyres. This contrasted sharply with 2024, when thermal degradation forced most teams into two-stop strategies.

Pre-Season Testing to Shape Tyre Understanding

Drivers will head to Melbourne following an extensive three-phase pre-season testing programme. The first test will run behind closed doors in Barcelona from January 26–30, marking the first outing of the new 2026 tyres on the next-generation F1 cars. Each team will select three of the five available test days.

Two further tests will take place in Bahrain from February 11–13 and February 18–20, giving teams valuable mileage to fine-tune their all-new cars built to the latest Formula 1 technical regulations.

Early Data Key for European Rounds

With all five slick compounds in use during the opening races, Pirelli will be able to closely assess performance gaps, graining behaviour and overheating resistance in race conditions. The data gathered will play a crucial role in shaping tyre nominations for the European leg of the 2026 Formula 1 season.