F1 | The compounds for the 2018 season presented: Hypersoft and Super Hard “new entries” in the Pirelli range

This morning, Pirelli presented the range of tires that will be used starting from 2018, introducing two new compounds that every driver will be able to use from the next Australian Grand Prix. In fact, inside the Yas Marina paddock, the Italian tire manufacturer unveiled the Hypersoft compound, a new extra soft tire that will be positioned under the current ultra soft, and the Super Hard, the old hard tire revised in some details. In 2018, therefore, Pirelli will have the possibility to choose three compounds in a hardness range which will be made up of seven compounds (Hypersoft, ultra soft, soft, medium, hard, super hard. ed.).

The range has been made softer than this season, so it will be reasonable to expect more uncertain GPs in terms of strategies and more inclined towards two stops in the race. Pirelli has taken advantage of the numerous tests this year to complete a product that has satisfied the teams during this season, both in terms of consistency of use and the performance shown by the new cars. The objective for 2018 will be to provide greater grip to the riders, trying to make the races more exciting. In short, a middle ground between this championship and that of 2013, where wear played a key role in the races.

As previously announced, the Hypersoft (the name was chosen by enthusiasts on the Pirelli.ed social channels) will be colored pink and will have a similar style to the tires already seen in Austin. The choice of this color appears quite simple: we are in fact talking about a tribute to the Susan G. Komen foundation, the largest global organization in the fight against breast cancer, which from 1982 to today has raised over 920 million dollars to finance research against the disease. However, the news does not end here: in addition to the hypersoft, in fact, from 2018 we will also see the super hard on the track, a new orange compound that will be positioned before the hard. We are talking about an extra hard compound that will be used in circuits such as Montemlò, Silverstone and Suzuka.

The hard tyre, however, will be colored blue and will have similar characteristics to this year's soft.

In summary:

* The 2018 range includes tires that for each compound will be one step softer than this year, the fastest ever in the history of Formula 1.

* A new tire is introduced which is positioned below the ultrasoft one: it is the P Zero Pink hypersoft, the softest ever made by Pirelli in Formula 1. It will be used on circuits such as Monte Carlo where high mechanical grip is required.

* P Zero hard becomes ice blue.

* The new hardest compound among those available will be the superhard, characterized by the orange colour.

* The 2018 Pirelli range will thus be made up of nine tires in total: in fact, the seven P Zero slicks will be joined by the two new Cinturato intermediate and full wet.

* The tires feature redesigned compounds and constructions in line with the philosophy of Pirelli, which since its return to Formula 1 in 2011 has offered a renewed range every year.

* The tire nomination will better adapt to the characteristics of the circuits, thanks to the new compounds and the new windows of use. Teams will be able to have greater flexibility in choosing sets for races and, consequently, formulate more strategies than in the past.

* In five days the Teams will test the new P Zero Pink hypersoft for the first time, the name of which was chosen with a survey presented by drivers and prominent personalities of Formula 1 after the Brazilian Grand Prix on the main Pirelli Motorsport social channels.

Here are the words of Mario Isola, Car Racing Manager: “The changes are smaller than in 2017, when the tire size increased by 25% to better adapt to the new generation of single-seaters. However, we are pleased to present some important innovations in our range, with softer and more performing compounds and with the introduction of the new hypersoft. We realized that, given the unique circumstances of this year, our approach in developing the 2017 tires was perhaps prudent."

“For 2018, however, the range responds to the need to make around two pit stops in most races. The basic construction of the tires has not undergone many changes and retains the characteristics already appreciated by the riders this year for the possibility of pushing to the maximum with both new and used rubber. The new, faster and more performing tires could lead to even more competitive and spectacular races in 2018." he added.

Here is the entire Pirelli range for 2018

Roberto Valenti