(Motorsport-Total.com) – Actually, Pirelli had announced that it would tend to choose slightly softer tire compounds in the upcoming races, since all the Formula 1 races in 2026 so far have been won with only one pit stop, but in May the manufacturer instead selects harder tires than the previous year – albeit involuntarily.
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Because Pirelli is forced to bring harder compounds to Canada than in 2025. This is because the softest C6 tire no longer exists this year, which was introduced last year and used in Imola, Monaco, Canada, and Azerbaijan.
Instead of the compounds C4, C5, and C6, Montreal will now use the compounds C3, C4, and C5 – thus at least the currently softest possible choice. This also applies to the upcoming race in Miami, where Pirelli also could not go softer, as the compounds C3 to C5 were already used in 2025.
The characteristics of the track around the Dolphins stadium allow the use of the softest compounds in the range due to the very smooth asphalt. Tire degradation is mostly thermal due to the high temperatures in Florida but proved limited last year with nominally the same compounds.
This created the conditions for numerous duels on the track in the early phase of the race, where drivers could push without particular restrictions.
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Also in Canada, much speaks in favor of the softest compounds – on the one hand thanks to a less rough road surface, on the other hand to provide sufficient grip in the zones where the cars are exposed to strong braking forces.
The C6 remained a marginal factor in race strategies last year, which were already designed for two stops using Hard and Medium. Compared to Miami, Montreal also brings the variable of weather into play, especially given the earlier date in the calendar.
By the way, Canada is the first – forced – change compared to the previous season. Until then, Pirelli always had the same compounds in their luggage. (An overview of the chosen tires for the season is available here.)
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