Mario Isola has provided an explanation as to why Pirelli have chosen to bring the C4 tyres rather than the C5 for the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.
The 2022 race saw the Italian tyre manufacturer try leaving a gap in between the soft and medium tyres in the F1 range, but only Alex Albon used the soft compound for a handful of laps in the race before doing more than 50 laps on hard tyres.
Pirelli, who may see their intermediate and wet tyres in use in qualifying if the forecast is to be believed, want to see more strategies in play so they decided to abandon their plan from last year.
“We decided to bring a different soft compound from last year because it was a bit too soft for the race last year,” Isola told the media.
“We wanted to bring in more strategies and possibly with a mix of one and two stops but by using all three compounds.
“In FP1, the soft was only used by [Max] Verstappen for all the session, but by the end, everyone seemed to say it was working quite well.”
Deal extension?
The deadline for applying to be the tyre supplier for F1 over 2025-27 is fast approaching and Pirelli have already thrown their hat into the ring already.
Isola admitted that it wasn’t a simple decision but the long relationship between the two entities can’t be ignored and they are keen to remain as the sole supplier to the sport.
“It’s never an easy decision because we invest a lot of resources and money into Formula 1 but we are happy with the results so far,” Isola added.
“Thirteen years is a long period and to continue for another three or four years is a big commitment but the sport is very healthy and we are happy with the current situation.”
