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What tyres will the teams and drivers have for the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix?
Formula 1 is back in Europe with this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix the start of a triple header of action, and Pirelli have confirmed what tyres will be in play out in Barcelona.
F1’s official tyre suppliers have chosen their three hardest dry tyre compounds – C1 as hard, C2 as medium and C3 as soft – for what is one of the most technically demanding tracks on the calendar.
Drivers will get two sets of the hard tyre (marked white), three sets of the medium tyre (marked yellow), and eight sets of the soft tyre (marked red), as well as the green intermediate tyre and the blue full wets, should they be required.
Highlighting the challenge that awaits at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Pirelli’s weekend preview reads: "The track is one of the most complete of any circuit in the world, not just those on the Formula 1 calendar, in terms of the challenges it presents.
"Apart from its straights, it boasts every possible type of corner, with some of them, such as Turn 3 and the combination of 13 and 14 which lead onto the main straight, taken at very high speeds. The lateral forces exerted on the tyres, especially on the lefthand side of the car are particularly high, partly because nine of the 14 turns are to the right."
Pirelli also go on to explain that the time of year, and temperatures, could play an important role in the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.
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"This year’s race takes place three weeks later than in 2023 so it could be hotter and that could add another factor to tyre management," their preview added. "This thermal issue could put the C3 at a disadvantage, whereas last year that compound had been quite competitive even in the race, chosen by 16 of the 20 drivers for the first stint.
"In terms of strategy, a two-stop should be the quickest option with all compounds possibly coming into play. If degradation is higher, then even a three-stop might be feasible, especially as last year’s race proved that overtaking is easier than in the past."
For more information about Pirelli’s F1 tyres, visit pirelli.com.
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