“Tricky” new Pirelli C6 tyre doesn’t last a lap of Imola F1 track

Pirelli has taken its new C6 soft-compound tyre to Formula 1’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend, and Williams boss James Vowles has warned that it might not be capable of performing over a full lap of the historic Imola circuit. 

Teams got their first taste of the new C6 soft-compound Pirellis during practice. Grip levels for the new tyre seemed to be strong initially, but drivers have been warned that they may need to protect the new rubber. 

“The car’s been pretty good all weekend, but that soft tyre is tricky,” Vowles told Sky TV after final practice in Italy. 

“You saw yesterday, we didn’t really get a lap out of it.

“Our time yesterday was set to medium, and again today, lots of cars going off the track and we were struggling as well.

“So, brilliant that we have the C6 here, we have to learn how to use it anyway before Monaco, but just tricky to get all the lap time out of it.” 

When pressed about how drivers could maximise performance from the new soft-compound tyres, Vowles added that “managing your tyre enthusiasm” could be key to making the rubber last over the 4.9km circuit. 

“It’s a very soft compound,” he added. 

“So, obviously as you get towards the end of the lap, you get up a hill towards the chicane, it’s already starting to overheat, and even by the last two corners it is. You sort of have to try and feel your way up to the limit, but not go over it. That’s the tricky bit.” 

This short lifespan of the new compound means that unlocking its performance in qualifying will be key to claiming a good grid position. This could prove vital as Imola, like Monaco next weekend, is predicted to be a race that’s “a little bit more about qualifying”, Vowles added. 

The long pitlane in Imola and the higher time lost in a stop means that teams up and down the grid are banking on a one-stop strategy for the race, but the Williams boss hasn’t ruled out gambling on a different strategy. 

“You can see, though, today everyone saved two hard tyres,” he said. “You don’t do that just for using them to sit under the garage.

“It’s probably an expectation. It’s a little bit borderline one-stop, two-stop. So, answering your question, I think there’s something in there.” 

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Photos from Imola GP – Practice