Pirelli answers call - goes soft to break F1’s one-stop rut

After last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix left fans yawning through a processional affair at Suzuka, Formula 1’s exclusive tyre supplier, Pirelli, is stepping up to try and inject some much-needed excitement into the sport.

The newly resurfaced Japanese circuit stifled tyre degradation, resulting in a historic but dreary milestone: for the first time in F1 history, the top six finishers ended exactly where they started.

In response, Pirelli announced on Wednesday that it’s softening the tyre allocations for next month’s Miami and Emilia Romagna Grands Prix, aiming to shake up strategies and reignite on-track battles.

Drivers Demand Change

Mercedes driver George Russell didn’t hold back after the one-stop-dominated Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix, pointing the finger squarely at Pirelli’s tyre choices.

“I think these last two weekends, I think the tyre compounds have just been too hard for resurfacing, and it’s been an easy one-stop both races, and that’s just really taken any fun from the strategy,” he said post-race.

“Yeah, I hope we can maybe react as a sport, because it’s, as I said, we all finished where we started, and there just wasn’t enough difference in the tyre degradation.”

Russell’s frustration echoed a broader sentiment: the lack of tyre wear in Japan and China had sapped the unpredictability that makes F1 thrilling. Pirelli has heard the call loud and clear.

For Miami, the tyre lineup shifts to C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium), and C5 (Soft), while Emilia Romagna goes even softer, debuting the brand-new C6 compound alongside C4 and C5.

This follows a similar tweak for next week’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah, signaling Pirelli’s intent to break the one-stop mold that’s dulled recent races.

Pirelli’s Proactive Pivot

Pirelli motorsport boss Mario Isola acknowledged the challenge of balancing driver satisfaction with the sport’s spectacle.

“We are well aware that teams and drivers have become very adept at managing and looking after their tyres to get the best possible race result, and that the drivers always want to push to the limit to experience the thrills that only a Formula 1 car can offer,” explained the Italian.

“We had further confirmation of this last Sunday in Suzuka, where, even in a race that wasn’t particularly exciting in terms of on-track action, everyone said they were pleased to be able to continually get their lap times down right to the end of each stint.

“However, we must balance this with the shared desire among all key stakeholders in our sport to create the conditions for unpredictable and spectacular races.

“Tyres and their behaviour are an important part of that picture and as a partner of Formula 1, we want to be proactive in this regard.”

Isola also shed light on the broader strategy behind the softer selections.

“When we began planning the production and shipment of tyres for the first few races, we aimed to run all the compounds in the new range during the early part of the season, as they feature circuits with very different characteristics,” he added.

“This would help us gather as much useful data as possible as quickly as possible to inform our selections for the second half of the year.

• Read also: Alonso calls out Japanese GP snooze fest: 'Just like Monaco'

“For 2025, we have a wider range of options compared to last year: there is more effective spacing between the various compounds in terms of performance and, overall, they seem to be less prone to both tread surface overheating and graining.

“This also allows us to experiment with new solutions, making choices that can lead to a variety of valid strategies, both in terms of tyre usage and number of pit stops.”

As F1 heads to this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, where the abrasive Sakhir surface will test the hardest compounds (C1, C2, C3), Pirelli’s softer shift for Miami and Emilia Romagna promises a spicier May.

The introduction of the C6 compound at Imola – a first for a Grand Prix weekend – could be a game-changer, encouraging multi-stop races and strategic gambles.

After Suzuka’s sleepy procession, Pirelli’s bold move is a welcome jolt, aiming to deliver the wheel-to-wheel drama fans crave.

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