Formula 1 | Pirelli, the hardest compound range for the 2022 season in Bahrain

For Bahrain, the opening Grand Prix of the season, Pirelli has selected the three hardest compounds from the new 18-inch tire range: the C1 compound is the P Zero White hard, the C2 is the P Zero Yellow medium and the C3 is the P Zero Red soft. This nomination is one step tougher than the selection made for last year's race because the new 18-inch tires are completely different to their 13-inch predecessors, also in terms of compounds.

This choice was made taking into consideration the layout, the characteristics of the asphalt and the temperatures typical of Sakhir. Bahrain remains among the most abrasive tracks on the calendar (with a score of 5/5 for abrasiveness in the Pirelli classification) due to an asphalt that contains a high percentage of granite which leads to high levels of wear and degradation. Although the abrasion of the asphalt is high, the sand that the wind brings from the surrounding desert and deposits on the track can cause many slips which affect grip, and it is for this reason that this circuit, in the Pirelli classification, is attributed a score of 3/5 regarding the grip offered.

Sakhir is a stop-and-go track, with a value of 4/5 in the Pirelli ranking for traction and 4/5 for braking. In terms of lateral loads, the score is 3/5, and the rear tires are the ones required to do the most work. There is normally a high degree of track evolution over the weekend and this year is likely to be even higher as both Formula 2 and Formula 3 will be present as support races.

The Bahrain race gets underway just after sunset at 18pm, with track temperatures quite different to FP00 and FP1 and more similar to those of FP3 and qualifying. However, asphalt temperatures can drop even during the 2 laps of the race.

Mario Isola, Pirelli motorsport director

“For this first Grand Prix we opted for the hardest compounds in the range considering the track layout, the characteristics of the asphalt and the temperatures but also because the compounds are completely different compared to previous years.

During the race temperatures should be milder than those of FP1 and FP3, so the teams will have to focus on the data they can collect in FP2 and qualifying. It's still difficult to predict the race strategy - Bahrain has been a multi-stop race in the past, but it will be interesting to see if anyone tries something different this year."