Understanding the Different Pirelli Tire Compounds Being Used at the 2022 Bahrain F1 Test

The new F1 season is all set to start on March 20, 2022. Ahead of the race week in Bahrain, the teams will have one last testing in the same venue. They will look to gather all the required data ahead of the upcoming season.

The FIA has announced new regulations with the purpose of bringing the grid closer. As a result, the aerodynamics and the designs of the car are contrasting to the one from 2021. F1’s tire supplier, Pirelli, has also announced a set of changes ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

What are the tires available for testing in Bahrain?

Pirelli has already announced the increase in the size of the rims in the tires from previous years. F1 cars have been using 13-inch tires last season, but ahead of this term, they will use 18 inches. The aim of this is to reduce the dirty air and improve racing.

The Italian company will present six different tires for the testing. It ranges from C1-C5, with C1 being the hardest and C5 the softest tire. They will also present a prototype C2 tire for testing in Bahrain.

ALSO READ– Former F1 Driver Vouches for Lewis Hamilton’s 2022 Campaign

The C1 and the C2 are hard compound tires. Pirelli will brand the former, but without the stripes. There are two C2 hard compound tires, including the prototype tires, which are unbranded. The C3 is the medium compound tire with yellow stripes, while the C4 and C5 are soft tires with red stripes.

They will also carry the wet and intermediate tires, just in case. The tire in green are the intermediate tires, while the blue ones are the wet tires used in case of rain.

Tire pressures for the testing

Pirelli has also announced the pressure available for each tire compound. For the C1-C5 compound tires, the front tires will have a minimum pressure of 22.5 psi, while tires in the rear have a minimum pressure of 20.5 psi. The same pressure limit also applies to the intermediate tires.

Meanwhile, wet tires in blue will have a distinct pressure. The front will provide a minimum pressure of 21.5 psi while the rear will have a minimum pressure of 19.5 psi. The conditions in Bahrain are expected to be dry, so Pirelli will hope the intermediate and wet tires will not be required.

Pirelli has been providing tries to Formula One consistently for some period. However, things have not been smooth. Last season, Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll crashed into the barriers because of an unexpected puncher. And drivers have been constantly managing tires, which does not bode well for racing.

WATCH THIS STORY– Biggest Crashes From 2020 Featuring Leclerc, Vettel & Grosjean

With Pirelli announcing the tires for the testing, teams will look to strategize their pace ahead of the race week. As Formula One is all set to start next week, who will emerge victorious this time around?