Shanghai's Demanding Corners Push Pirelli Tyres to the Limit During Chinese Grand Prix Running
Front-left tyre degradation emerged as a key factor during practice and sprint shootout sessions at the Chinese Grand Prix, with graining patterns consistent with previous years. The aggressive cornering characteristics of the Shanghai circuit placed particular stress on the left-front rubber, while the right-front experienced less severe wear.
The Shanghai circuit's notoriously challenging corner sequence continued to extract a toll on Pirelli's rubber during this season's Chinese Grand Prix running. Front-left tyre graining proved to be the primary concern for teams, a phenomenon that has become a recurring theme at this demanding venue - mirroring what unfolded last year and aligning with pre-event predictions.
The left-front tyre bore the brunt of the circuit's relentless lateral forces, making it the focus of driver and engineer attention throughout both practice and sprint shootout sessions. While the front-right tyre also exhibited some graining, the severity was noticeably less pronounced than its counterpart on the opposite side of the car, highlighting the asymmetrical nature of the physical demands placed on the compound throughout Shanghai's high-speed corners.
Original source
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Related Regulations
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Full Regulation Text
Article 9.1
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.
Article B6.2.2
Complete set of tyres definition
Chapter: B6
In Simple Terms
A complete set of tyres means all four tyres on a car (two front, two rear) must be the same type and specification. You can't mix different tyre compounds or specifications on your car.
- Must have exactly 2 front tyres and 2 rear tyres
- All four tyres must be identical in specification
- Mixing different tyre types or compounds is not allowed
- Applies to all tyre changes during a race or qualifying session
Official FIA Text
A complete set of tyres comprises two front and two rear tyres all of which must be of the same specification.
Article 4R
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
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