After the opening back-to-back sequence in Australia and China, the F1 paddock rolls on to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix – and tyre suppliers Pirelli have confirmed the compounds that the teams and drivers will have available to them.
Given the nature and demands of the iconic track, Pirelli are providing the three hardest compounds in their 2026 range – the C1 as the hard, the C2 as the medium and the C3 as the soft.
Drivers will get two sets of the hard tyre (marked white), three sets of the medium tyre (marked yellow), and eight sets of the soft tyre (marked red), as well as access to the green intermediate tyre and the blue full wets, should they be required.
An extra set of softs is reserved for those who reach Q3 in Qualifying, while all drivers must use at least two different slick compounds during the race, providing the track is dry.
“The forces and loads generated by the continuous changes of direction, combined with high-speed sections, make the 5.807-kilometre Japanese track one of the toughest for tyres,” reads Pirelli’s weekend preview.
“The compounds selected are therefore the three hardest in the range: C1 for the hard, C2 for the medium and C3 for the soft. This means the hardest option, C1, will make its debut in Suzuka, having not been chosen for the first two race weekends of the season.
“The Honda-owned circuit was resurfaced ahead of the 2025 event, from the exit of the first chicane to the end of the first sector. This year the work continued with the substantial completion of the remaining two sectors up to Turn 17. The asphalt is therefore expected to be smooth and still dirty, offering relatively low grip.
“In these conditions it is normal to expect some graining, particularly with the softest compound. Last year its appearance, limited to the front axle, progressively diminished after the opening day thanks to the track evolution.
“However, the wider extent of the new asphalt surface, which has similar characteristics to that of the first sector, could require closer monitoring of the phenomenon this year and of its impact on degradation. By Friday we will already have a clearer idea of what the teams can expect over the weekend.
“It will be particularly interesting to observe the behaviour of both the hardest and the softest compounds in the selection. Should the C1 offer good grip levels and the C3 prove as consistent as it did in Shanghai, all three options could play a significant role in shaping the race strategies.
“Temperature will also be a key factor. The Japanese Grand Prix is held one week earlier than last year, when ambient temperatures had already settled around 15°C. If there are no significant increases, thermal degradation will remain contained.
“The possibility of completing the race with a single stop could therefore depend on the actual extent of the graining and its consequent influence on performance. Certainly, the teams will need to pay close attention to Qualifying preparation, when it will be essential to bring the tyres up to the correct temperature.”
For more information about Pirelli’s F1 tyres, visit pirelli.com.
