PIRELLI TO OFFER F1 SEVEN TYRE COMPOUNDS IN 2018

Pirelli expand to seven compounds in 2018 – Photo: LAT

Pirelli will expand it’s F1 tyre options to seven different compounds in 2018.

The new selection of tyres will range from the new superhard which will feature orange branding and hypersoft which will feature pink branding. The new superhard will be offered as an insurance policy by the Italian tyre manufacturer with the 2018 tyres will be considerably softer than the 2017 selection.

The hypersoft, named by fans during a poll on social media will be the softest compound offered by Pirelli, with more grip than the red supersoft and purple ultrasoft tyres.

“This is the softest compound we’ve made so far in F1,” said Mario Isola Pirelli racing manager.

“We decided not only to move all the range one step softer, but to introduce one more level of softer compound, that is the pink hypersoft.

“This is obviously a compound that we developed for very low severity circuits. We realised that, under the unique circumstances of this year, some of our 2017 compounds were perhaps conservative.

“The tyres we have created for 2018 addresses this, in line with the objective of having around two pitstops at most races.

“However, the fundamental design concept of the tyres hasn’t changed next year, preserving the attributes that all drivers have appreciated this year and allowing them to push hard from the start to the finish of each stint.”

F1 teams will get their first chance to trial the new tyres at the two-day Post-Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tyre test at Yas Marina.

Pirelli’s 2018 F1 Tyre Compounds – Image: Supplied

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