Pirelli Motorsport will test a new C2 compound in this weekend’s F1 Japanese GP, while they will run a new C4 in Mexico GP for 2024.
As the F1 2023 season is closing to an end, everyone is focusing now on 2024. It includes Pirelli, who have confirmed a tyre test on Friday of this weekend’s F1 Japanese GP at Suzuka. The test will be spread out across the two FP1 and FP2 sessions.
For the Japanese GP weekend, Pirelli will be running a new version of the C2 compound which is aimed to provide more grip in 2024 and fit more coherently between the current C1 and C3 tyres. Drivers will get two additional sets of tyres for the test.
This is a new test programme which was ratified by the FIA in consultation with the F1 teams. This mini test programme will continue in the upcoming Mexico GP, where they will run a new version of the C4 compound for the 2024 season.
“The Japanese Grand Prix takes place on one of the most fascinating and demanding tracks in Formula 1 history: Suzuka, with its unique figure of eight layout,” said Pirelli F1 chief Mario Isola. “This historic venue is a drivers’ favourite, being absolutely thrilling to drive in today’s ultra-competitive single-seaters.
“With its very significant lateral and vertical loads, Suzuka is as demanding on tyres as it is on drivers. These demands are equally distributed across all four wheels, with 10 right-handers and eight left-handers throughout the six-kilometre lap. As a result of these challenging characteristics, we bring some of the hardest tyres in the 2023 range to Japan: C1, C2, and C3.
“This is only nominally the same as last year’s selection on account of the new C1 compound, which was introduced this season to slot in between the C2 and former C1 (now called C0). On Friday, all the teams will get the chance to test a new version of the C2 compound, with a view to homologating it for next season.
“This latest evolution should provide more grip than the current C2, and so fit in more coherently between the C1 and C3. For the first two free practice sessions, each driver will have two additional sets of tyres, compared to the usual 13 sets per weekend. This test is part of a development programme that was recently defined for 2024 and will continue with a new C4 compound to be tested on track during the Mexican Grand Prix weekend.”