Pirelli Reveals Compound Strategy for China's Inaugural Sprint Event

Pirelli has unveiled the specific tyre compounds drivers will utilise during China's opening Sprint weekend of the 2026 season. The Italian manufacturer's selection sets the stage for the year's first short-format race.

As the Formula 1 calendar prepares for its first Sprint weekend of 2026, Pirelli has officially announced which tyre compounds will be available to teams and drivers competing in China.

The tyre specification marks an important detail in race preparation, with teams now equipped with the critical information needed to formulate their strategic approaches for the weekend's unique format. Drivers will have the compounds at their disposal as they prepare for the condensed racing schedule that characterizes Sprint events.

This early-season announcement allows teams the opportunity to analyse data and develop tyre management strategies ahead of arriving in China, where track conditions and ambient temperatures will play decisive roles in compound performance throughout the weekend.

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Full Regulation Text

Technical Regulations

Article 9.1

FIA Source

Tyre Specifications

Chapter: Chapter IX - Tyres

In Simple Terms

Pirelli is F1's sole tyre supplier. Each driver gets a fixed allocation per weekend: typically 13 sets of slicks (across soft, medium, hard), plus wet weather tyres. Teams must strategically use their allocation across practice, qualifying, and the race.

Pirelli is sole official supplier
Fixed allocation per weekend
Three dry compounds: soft, medium, hard
Intermediate and wet also provided

Official FIA Text

Only tyres supplied by the official tyre supplier may be used. During a race weekend, each driver is allocated a specified number of dry weather tyre sets comprising soft, medium and hard compounds, plus intermediate and wet weather tyres.

pit strategytyre degradationcompound selectiontyresPirellicompoundssoftmedium

2026 Season Regulations

Technical Regulations

Article 4R

FIA Source

Tyres

Chapter: C10.8

In Simple Terms

F1 teams must use Pirelli tyres as the official supplier and follow strict rules about tyre usage, compounds, and storage. Teams can only use tyres provided by the official supplier and must manage them according to FIA regulations throughout the race weekend.

Only official Pirelli tyres are permitted in F1 competition
Teams must follow mandatory tyre compound usage rules for each race
Tyres must be stored and handled according to FIA specifications
Tyre allocation is managed by the FIA and cannot be exceeded

Official FIA Text

Tyres

pirelli tyrestyre compoundstyre allocationtyre regulationssoft medium hard

2026 Season Regulations

Sporting Regulations

Article B6.1.1

FIA Source

Supply Of Tyres

Chapter: B6

In Simple Terms

F1 has one official tyre supplier who must make three different types of dry-weather tyres, plus intermediate and wet-weather tyres available to all teams. Each tyre type looks visibly different so everyone knows which compound is being used. Sometimes extra experimental tyres are tested during races.

Single tyre manufacturer provides all tyres for the season
Three dry-weather tyre specifications must be available (soft, medium, hard compounds)
One intermediate and one wet-weather tyre specification each
All tyre types must be visibly distinguishable from one another

Official FIA Text

The single tyre manufacturer must provide three specifications of dry-weather tyre, one specification of intermediate tyre, and one specification of wet-weather tyre, each visibly distinguishable. Additional tyre specifications may be made available for In-Competition Tyre Evaluation and In-Competition Tyre Testing at certain Competitions.

tyre supplytyre specificationsdry weather tyresintermediate tyreswet weather tyres

2026 Season Regulations