Pirelli opts for rare combination at Australian Grand Prix

Pirelli is to bring the softest C5 tyre in its range to the Australian Grand Prix – the first time the compound will have been used in 2024.

The C5 rubber was not selected for either Bahrain or Saudi Arabia – with the former being a particularly tough track on tyres due to an abrasive track surface and heavy traction zones, and was seldom used during pre-season testing.

It is in contrast to 2023, when the C2, C3, and C4 compounds were used at the Albert Park circuit, but follows the trend of 2022 when the softest tyre was used on F1’s return to Melbourne following the COVID-19 pandemic, although the C4 was left out of the range for that weekend.

The C5 tyre has not been modified since 2023, but it has been used rarely by teams, with just 140km of running taking place on it during the three-day Bahrain test.