Feature
What tyres will the teams and drivers have for the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix?
The fabled Nurburgring circuit hosts the Eifel Grand Prix this weekend and now's the time to talk tyres – what compounds have Pirelli made available for the race in Germany?
The Nurburgring has hosted 40 Formula 1 Grands Prix, but drivers no longer have to contend with the 'Green Hell' and its 23km of twists and turns – this is the 5km GP circuit.
The last time this layout was used in a Grand Prix was in 2013, when Sebastian Vettel won. Seven years later, there are a lot of unknowns and Pirelli's Head of F1 and Car Racing, Mario Isola, says they are considering the Nurburgring as a brand new F1 venue.
"The Nurburgring is practically an all-new venue for us, so we'll be treating it as if we are coming there for the first time in Formula 1, although of course we remember it well and we have raced there many times in other championships," he said.
"In order to ensure we have everything covered, we're bringing the three tyres in the middle of our range, which are also well-suited to the varied demands of this track."
That means Pirelli have brought not the softest, nor the hardest, three compounds to the Nurburgring: C2, C3, and C4 tyres will be available for the Eifel Grand Prix. In Russia, last time out, the softest C3, C4 and C5 tyres were available.
WATCH: Coulthard goes flying and a big crash for Hamilton – 5 forgotten Nurburgring moments
"Probably the biggest factor will be the weather, with low temperatures and rain quite likely at this time of year," added Isola. "As a result, the teams might have to deal with some quite unusual circumstances, on a track that they aren't particularly familiar with.
"So this is a race that is likely to favour drivers and teams who are able to get to grips with new situations quickly. I think it's fair to say that we're set for a race with many variables, where we may even see all five types of tyre that we bring to the Grand Prix used over the course of the weekend."
Image courtesy of @Pirellimotorsport. For more information about Pirelli's Formula 1 tyres, visit pirelli.com.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
News ‘I had a few moments’ – Alonso opens up on past Red Bull talks and how he could have joined the squad
Feature From magic in Melbourne to Turkish delight – Remembering Bottas’s 10 Grand Prix victories
News ‘I heard the bells ringing’ – Wolff reveals who first told him Hamilton had decided to leave Mercedes for Ferrari
News Horner picks his favourite Ricciardo Red Bull races as he names year where the Australian was ‘best driver on the grid’