Pirelli's tire choices for the US GP

Pirelli has chosen three tire compounds for the United States Grand Prix: the hard C2, the medium C3, and the soft C4. These selections are based on data gathered during the weekend at the Circuit of the Americas, which helped refine predictions about tire performance during the race.

Soft tires offer better lap performance

Tests showed that the soft C4 tire outperforms the medium C3 in terms of grip and lap time. This makes the C4 particularly valuable for qualifying, where drivers aim to set the fastest possible time. However, the performance gap between the two tires narrows significantly during long runs.

Race strategies favor a single stop

Pirelli's simulations suggest that a single-stop race strategy is the most effective in terms of total time. This involves starting on soft tires and switching to medium tires later in the race. The soft and medium tires have shown similar performance in race pace, making this strategy viable for many teams.

Hard tires could be a backup option

While the focus is on soft and medium tires, the hard C2 is still a valid option. It could be useful in the event of a safety car period, allowing teams to extend their stint or anticipate pit stops. The C2's durability makes it a potential choice for the second stint, especially if tire degradation is higher than expected.

Two-stop strategy remains possible

Pirelli acknowledges that a two-stop strategy could be viable if tire wear is greater than anticipated. This would involve using soft tires first, then medium, and potentially soft again. However, the time difference between this approach and a single-stop strategy is small, and teams must also consider track position and the risk of losing time behind slower cars after pit stops.