Following the recent announcement from Formula 1 and the FIA, Pirelli have added some extra detail on tyre allocation for Sprint Qualifying.

For the three grand prix weekends that will also host a Sprint Qualifying this year (a 100-kilometre race that will take place on Saturday) the tyre allocation will be as follows:

• A total of 12 sets of P Zero slick tyres per driver (instead of the usual 13 for the other grands prix) comprised of:

• Six P Zero Red soft tyres

• Four P Zero Yellow medium tyres

• Two P Zero White hard tyres

• Four sets of Cinturato Green intermediates and three sets of Cinturato Blue full wets - as is the case at every race. However, each driver will be allowed an extra set of Cinturato Green intermediates if Free Practice 1, Free Practice 2, or Qualifying is held in wet conditions. A further set of Cinturato Green intermediates is also available if the Sprint Qualifying (on Saturday) is run in the wet.

The exact rules about how the tyres will be used over the weekend are still being defined, so there could be some further changes:

• Free practice: In Free Practice 1, taking place for 60 minutes on Friday, each driver must use two sets of tyres (of any compound) and hand back one set to Pirelli at the end of the session. In Free Practice 2, taking place for 60 minutes on Saturday, each driver can use as many sets of tyres as they like within their allocation.

• Qualifying: Only the P Zero Red soft tyre can be used, up to a maximum of five sets. Of these, one can only be used in Q3 (if a driver gets through). None of the drivers will be obliged to start Sunday's grand prix on the tyre with which they set their best time in Q2. Instead, they have a free choice.

• Sprint Qualifying: Each driver has a free choice of tyres. At the end of the Sprint Qualifying, they will return the set that has completed the most laps. Unlike the grand prix on Sunday, there is no obligatory pit stop during the Sprint Qualifying. If it takes place in wet conditions, each driver must hand back a set of Cinturato Blue wet or Cinturato Green intermediate tyres after the race. Pirelli will replace these with an extra set of Cinturato Green intermediates.

• Grand Prix: After starting the race on whichever tyres they like - with no need to use the tyre that set the best time in Q2 - each driver can run their preferred strategy, but the rule obliging them to use a minimum of two compounds and make at least one pit stop remains in place. The rule that each driver must keep back two mandatory sets nominated by Pirelli for the race also still applies.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 28/04/2021 14:17

"@ Greg...Thanks for the comment. I happen to fully agree with your sentiments. Talking tyres always reminds me of a Mark Webber comment he made some 6/7 years ago. When asked to comment of the Porsche LMP1 car he was racing for the WEC, as opposed to F1, apart from outright engine performance he stated that the 'tyres were a major difference as they were using Michelins. "There is no contest. Michelin are real racing tyres. Pirellis are for show". I would absolutely love to see another tyre supplier enter F1. Competition nearly always produces a better product. Will it happen? I very much doubt it....."

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2. Posted by Greg, 28/04/2021 10:37

"Fully agree @kenji. It seems to absurd to have the chouce decided by the supplier. Give them the tyres that suit their cars the best. Let them race on them if someone elses car performs better on a different compound then so be it. Might make it a little better with the strategy needed to win. And get rid of the silly DRS."

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3. Posted by kenji, 27/04/2021 23:39

"Why does it have to be so complicated? Surely it's time to simplify it and allow, say, a maximum of 14 sets tyres to each team in whatever compound they choose then just let them race. They can employ whatever strategies they like then...one stop, two stop or even three stop. Just let them race and push as hard as they like. The teams should be freed up as tyre restraints only hinder the racing IMO. Pirelli should not be making choices that can effect race outcomes independently of the teams."

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Pirelli clarifies sprint race tyre allocations

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