Formula 1 is back in Japan for the first time since 2019 and Pirelli have announced what tyres have been allocated for this weekend’s action.
F1’s official tyre supplier has allocated the three hardest tyre compounds in their range, last seen at the Dutch Grand Prix, for the race at Suzuka. The teams will be able to call upon the C1 hard tyre (x2 sets), the C2 medium tyre (x3 sets) and the C3 soft tyre (x8 sets).
This weekend will also see the return of a 90-minute practice session, as FP2 in Japan will be extended by 30 minutes as Pirelli look to carry out 2023 prototype slick tyre testing.
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“Ask the drivers which are their favourite circuits and Suzuka will always be high on the list,” said Pirelli Motorsport Director Mario Isola. “It contains demanding corners like nowhere else, such as 130R and Spoon, as well as a truly special atmosphere and history with incredible fans.
“There’s a roughly equal number of left and right corners in the unique figure of eight layout, which means that the circuit demands are evenly balanced.
“The sustained energy loads through the tyres are some of the highest we register all year, and the track layout means that we bring the three hardest compounds in our range because of the high levels of tyre duty.”
He continued: “With the latest generation of cars being heavier than before and the limits of performance constantly being pushed, that challenge is bigger than ever now.
“An innovation for this year is the fact that we will be testing some 2023 prototype tyres during an extended free practice session on Friday afternoon, as we finalise the specification for next year with the end of this season approaching.”
For more information about Pirelli’s Formula 1 tyres, visit pirelli.com – and head to pirelli.com/150anni for more on Pirelli’s 150th anniversary.
