Pirelli considering a sixth compound for 2018

Pirelli’s F1 chief Mario Isola has suggested that they are considering the introduction of a sixth tyre compound to the roster in 2018.

As F1’s sole tyre supplier, Pirelli currently offer five slick compounds for use in dry weather conditions, with three of these selected for each event in accordance with expected and historical degradation rates at the circuit.

Pirelli is required to submit their 2018 tyre constructions for homologation by September 1, but they are permitted to wait until December 1 before they declare which compounds will make up their 2018 roster.

Including a test with Ferrari at the Circuit de Catalunya this week, Pirelli will have eight days of tyre testing between now and December’s deadline day.

“Depending on the results, we will decide the number of compounds,” Isola stated. “My opinion is to go up to six, which is possible.

“If I look at the regulations the number of compounds is our proposal to the FIA, and usually the FIA accepts, because there is no reason to refuse. In fact this year we homologated 10 compounds – we had the five base compounds, and five back-up compounds.

“We don’t need the agreement of the teams. In Abu Dhabi after the race we have two days of testing with all the cars, and all the teams, which is supposed to be for validation of the new product, to give the teams the opportunity to test it in advance.

“So end of November we need to be ready with the final version of our 2018 tyres.”

The introduction of a sixth compound option would come following a year in which Pirelli has been criticised for being too conservative in their tyre compound nominations for each venue.

The vast majority of races have been one-stop affairs, due to the harder construction of the 2017 tyres. Pirelli seemingly overestimated the effect that the increased speeds and size of the tyre contact patch would have on the rubber’s wear.

Regardless, Isola stated that the construction of next year’s tyres will not undergo an overhaul versus this season’s iteration. “It will not be a revolution compared to this year, because we think we have a good product.”