The 2026 F1 season resumes this weekend on the Dutch Grand Prix, an occasion that may even see the return of the Dash – and tyre suppliers Pirelli have confirmed the compounds that the groups and drivers could have out there to them for Spherical 12 on the calendar.
For the ultimate race in Zandvoort, the chosen compounds are the C2 because the exhausting, C3 because the medium and C4 because the comfortable – the identical vary used for final 12 months’s Grand Prix.
The Dash format implies that the groups should handle their tyre allocations otherwise, with solely 12 units out there for the entire weekend moderately than the standard 13.
Underneath Dash rules, drivers will get two units of the exhausting, 4 units of the medium and 6 units of sentimental, together with six units of inexperienced intermediates and three units of blue full wets.
Pirelli’s weekend preview reads: “The monitor, located simply 40km from Amsterdam, presents a low stage of grip each due to the character of its asphalt, which has been resurfaced in a number of sections through the years, and due to the sand blown onto the circuit from the close by seashores.
“This phenomenon can cut back grip not solely from sooner or later to the subsequent, however generally even from one session to a different.
“The Zandvoort circuit is especially demanding on tyres when it comes to vitality density, owing to its brief lap size and quite a few corners, a few of them taken at excessive pace. The 2 banked turns, with gradients of 19 and 18 levels respectively, generate extraordinarily excessive vertical and lateral forces on the tyres.
“Groups due to this fact have to handle automotive set-up fastidiously and, extra usually, the interplay between automotive and tyres. The extent of aerodynamic downforce required is excessive, similar to that wanted at Budapest, venue of the ultimate spherical earlier than the summer time break.
“The Dutch spherical has been introduced ahead by one week in comparison with 2025. In idea, thermal degradation ought to play a big function in the course of August, however temperatures at Zandvoort not often exceed 20C and rain is a frequent characteristic. As well as, the circuit’s proximity to the ocean means robust gusts of wind are frequent, which might have an effect on the drivers, particularly with the brand new aerodynamic rules.
“With the Dash format making its debut at Zandvoort, groups could have just one hour of free observe out there to finalise their automotive set-ups.
“Whereas the exhausting is more likely to be the reference compound for Sunday’s race, the 2 softer choices might each show efficient selections for Saturday’s Dash. Overtaking issue, attributable to the presence of just one straight and the slender monitor width, may even be an necessary consider Grand Prix technique.”
For extra details about Pirelli’s F1 tyres, go to pirelli.com.
