How to tell Pirelli’s new F1 tyres apart in testing
Pirelli has outlined how it will identify its five new Formula 1 tyre compounds in pre-season testing, following the removal of the previous ‘rainbow’ range.
F1 2019
The 2019 FIA Formula 1 World Championship starts in Melbourne on March 17 – and here you will find F1 news, photos and videos covering many topics such as: technological advancements, 2019 F1 rules, team and driver articles, in-depth analysis and expert opinion, and much more. You can also check out the 2019 F1 calendar, buy F1 event tickets and merchandise.
The Italian company will provide five compounds this season, compared to seven in 2018.
Pirelli will use three nominated colours to identify tyres at races in 2019: the white will be the hard, the yellow will be the medium and the red will be the soft.
It has confirmed that those three colours will be used in testing, but as there are more compounds than colours they will be marked differently so people can tell them apart.
There will be five compounds available to Pirelli this year:
Compound 1 (the hardest) will be marked with white Pirelli branding, but without the lines around the outside wall of the tyre
Compound 2 will be marked with full white branding
Compound 3 will be marked with full yellow branding
Compound 4 will be marked with full red branding
Compound 5 (the softest) will be marked with red Pirelli branding, but without the lines around the outside wall of the tyre
Pirelli considered continuing to use the multi-coloured way it branded each compound last year for testing.
However, it decided to adapt the system it wants to use throughout 2019 to avoid creating extra confusion.
Compared to last year, Compound 1 is the hardest and is the hard compound from 2018, while Compound 5 is the softest and the same as last year’s hypersoft.
Teams and media will know in advance which of the five compounds are in use at each grand prix, but the new system is designed to make it easier for fans to identify and follow.
Share Or Save This Story
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Rinus VeeKay on his IndyCar home for 2027: “I want to see myself win”
Netflix confirms release date for new Michael Schumacher F1 documentary
"Chaos, passing, crashes": Alex Palou braces for IndyCar mayhem at Freedom 250
NASCAR moves up start time for New Hampshire Cup race due to weather threat
The hidden benefit of Max Verstappen’s new F1 deal that Red Bull wants to exploit
The themes to watch for the rest of F1 2026
Why the Dutch GP is ending despite F1 wanting Zandvoort to stay
What Max Verstappen’s big deal means for his future, Red Bull and F1
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments