Softer tyres for F1’s return to Mexico

2016 Mexican Grand Prix

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Formula One drivers will have the choice of using Pirelli’s super-soft compound when the series returns to Mexico later this year.

The sport’s official tyre supplier provided the soft and medium compounds for last year’s race, and will bring the super-soft as well for the second grand prix at the revised Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

The super-soft tyre will be mandatory for Q3 and drivers must retain one set of soft and one set of medium tyres for the race, at least one of which must be used.

Last year most drivers used two-stop strategies for the race, with the soft tyre overwhelmingly the preferred option for the opening stint of the race.

2016 tyre nominations

Circuit2016 Q32016 Option2016 Prime2015 Option2015 Prime
MelbourneSuper-softSoftMediumSoftMedium
BahrainSuper-softSoftMediumSoftMedium
ShanghaiSuper-softSoftMediumSoftMedium
SochiSuper-softSoftMediumSuper-softSoft
CatalunyaSoftMediumHardMediumHard
Monte-CarloUltra-softSuper-softSoftSuper-softSoft
MontrealUltra-softSuper-softSoftSuper-softSoft
BakuSuper-softSoftMediumNo raceNo race
Red Bull RingUltra-softSuper-softSoftSuper-softSoft
SilverstoneSoftMediumHardMediumHard
HungaroringSuper-softSoftMediumSoftMedium
HockenheimringSuper-softSoftMediumNo raceNo race
Spa-FrancorchampsSuper-softSoftMediumSoftMedium
MonzaSuper-softSoftMediumSoftMedium
SingaporeUltra-softSuper-softSoftSuper-softSoft
SepangSoftMediumHardSoftMedium
SuzukaSoftMediumHardSoftMedium
Circuit of the AmericasSuper-softSoftMediumSoftMedium
Autodromo Hermanos RodriguezSuper-softSoftMediumSoftMedium

2016 Mexican Grand Prix

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    Author information

    Keith Collantine
    Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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    4 comments on “Softer tyres for F1’s return to Mexico”

    1. I’m a little disappointed with this choice. IMO they should have chosen ultrasoft instead of medium as the medium compound proved to be a little too hard and conservative for this circuit last year.

      1. True, but it also proved to be the best compound (many drivers couldn’t get heat into the soft tires), so it would have been a bit weird for Pirelli not to offer that tire. Possibly with US, SS and S none of the tires would heat up and the drivers would complain about terrible graining etc., so that wouldn’t be ideal. But indeed, last year’s race was incredibly boring, so a hyper-aggressive tire allocation might have been more interesting.

    2. Shame they’re not bringing the ultra soft to Hockenheim, seems very doable to me.

      1. In 2014 they brought SS and S and the tire degradation was huge, so therefore I think they have gone a bit more conservative.

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