Pirelli Reveals Tyre Choices for 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

In a twist of geographical fate, the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix will take place 4,000 miles away from its namesake desert, at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit. Pirelli, the exclusive tyre supplier for F1, has unveiled the compounds teams will use for this unique event.

Returning to Malaysia after nearly a decade, the teams will have the C2, C3, and C4 compounds at their disposal, serving as the hard, medium, and soft options respectively. Each driver will receive two sets of the hard tyre, three of the medium, and a generous eight sets of the softs. To spice things up, those reaching Q3 in qualifying will get an extra set of soft tyres, and all drivers will need to run at least two different slick compounds during the race, assuming the track stays dry.

According to Pirelli, Sepang generates medium energy levels through the tyres, akin to circuits like Spa and Shanghai. The track's potential for thermal degradation will keep teams on their toes, especially with the sweltering ambient and track temperatures typical of Malaysia. Pirelli's decision to go with these compounds aims to broaden strategic options, potentially shrinking the gap between one-stop and two-stop strategies.

The Sepang circuit, known for its abrasive surface, has seen several updates since F1 last visited. Recent resurfacing between Turns 6 and 12, along with work around Turn 9, means teams must adapt to the slightly altered track. Despite these changes, Pirelli assures that the surface characteristics remain similar to those seen back in 2017. However, recent levelling work and cleaning have improved conditions, which could influence how this race unfolds.

Teams face the added challenge of limited data, as the current generation of cars has never raced here. This makes Friday practice sessions crucial for both setting up the car and getting drivers familiar with the circuit, which many have only experienced through simulators.