Pirelli has announced the tyre compound allocations for the first two races of the 2017 season.
New wider tyres will be introduced next year aimed at increasing mechanical grip and providing less thermal degradation during races. The first races of the 2017 season is still three months away, but Pirelli has already announced which compounds will be supplied to the teams.
In AUSTRALIA, to be held (March 24 - 26) on the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne:
Yellow soft
Red supersoft
Purple ultrasoft
These are the tyres that must be available (one of them to be used) at some point in the race:
One set of P Zero Yellow soft
One set of P Zero Red supersoft
There are the tyres assigned for Q3 in qualifying:
One set of P Zero Purple ultrasoft
In CHINA, to be held (April 7 - 9) on the Shanghai circuit:
White medium
Yellow soft
Red supersoft
These are the tyres that must be available (one of them to be used) at some point in the race:
One set of P Zero White medium
One set of P Zero Yellow soft
These are the tyres assigned for Q3 in qualifying:
One set of P Zero Red supersoft
Following the regulations, each driver must save for Q3 one set of the softest of the three nominated compounds. This set will be given back to Pirelli after Q3 for those who qualify in the top 10, but the remaining drivers will keep it for the race. The teams are free to choose the remaining 10 sets; making up 13 sets in total for the weekend.
Pirelli has decided on the compounds after a series of tests this year with mule cars provided by Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull. The tyre range has been completely transformed from 2016, with new sizes (305/670-13 at the front and 405/670-13 at the rear) as well as new profiles, constructions and compounds.