Pirelli to debut new tyre compound in Bahrain

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Pirelli has revealed its tyre selections for the opening three races of the season, with F1's exclusive supplier introducing a new compound at the first round in Bahrain.

This year, Pirelli will have six compounds at its disposal to fulfill its tyre allocations at 23 venues.

From hard to soft, last season's range spread from C1 to C5. But this year's new line spans from C0 to C5.

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Last year's hardest C1 rubber has moved to C0, while Pirelli's new compound becomes the series' new C1 within its new C0 to C5 range.

The Italian manufacturer justified the introduction of the new compound by the necessity to "reduce the performance gap between what had previously been the two hardest compounds in the range".

And Pirelli has opted for to use the new rubber at F21's opening race in Bahrain alongside its C2 and C3 grades.

Thereafter however, for the Saudi Arabian and Australian Grands Prix, teams will be allocated a softer mix, with Pirelli designating its C2, C3 and C4 tyres for the two events.

It's worth noting that drivers will have less tyres available to them over the course of a race weekend, with each driver allocated 11 sets of slick tyres compared to 13 last year.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.