At the Japanese Grand Prix, F1 teams will be able to use the three hardest compounds from Pirelli’s 2026 tire range. The new asphalt at Suzuka is expected to be dirty and offer low grip.
Formula 1 is preparing for the third race of the 2026 season, the Japanese Grand Prix, held—as it has been for decades—at the iconic Suzuka Circuit.
At the legendary Japanese track, one of the drivers’ favorites, Pirelli is supplying the three hardest compounds in its range: the C1 (Hard), C2 (Medium), and C3 (Soft). The C1 will make its seasonal debut, as it was not used at Albert Park or Shanghai.
As a result, the C1 will be under the spotlight at Suzuka, a track that stresses tires with high loads and diverse cornering forces. However, the track itself will also play an important role during both qualifying and the race.
Before the 2025 edition, Suzuka was resurfaced from the first chicane through the end of sector one. This year, resurfacing continued with the completion of the remaining two sectors, up to turn 17.
Because of this, the asphalt should be smooth yet still dirty, resulting in relatively low levels of grip. Under these conditions, graining is likely, especially when drivers use the C3 tires, the softest compound available for the weekend.
It will certainly be interesting to observe the behavior of both the hardest and softest compounds. If the C1 provides good grip and the C3 proves consistent as it did in Shanghai, all three tire options could play a significant role in race strategy.
Temperature will also play an important role. The Japanese Grand Prix takes place a week earlier than last year, when ambient temperatures were already around 15°C. If there are no significant increases, thermal degradation should remain limited. The possibility of completing the race with just one pit stop may therefore depend on the actual impact of graining and its effect on performance. Teams will also need to focus on optimizing the qualifying lap, when getting the tires up to the correct temperature will be essential.
Japanese GP: key statistics
The upcoming race will mark the 40th Japanese Grand Prix on the F1 calendar. The first race was held in 1976 at Fuji, which hosted a total of four editions. All other races have taken place at Suzuka. Michael Schumacher holds the record for the most wins in Japan with six, one more than Lewis Hamilton. In the constructors’ standings, McLaren leads with nine victories, followed by Red Bull with eight.
The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix is therefore shaping up to be a tactical chess match centered on tire management. With the C1 making its first appearance on a partially “green” and slippery track, the teams that can minimize graining in the high-speed “S” Curves will have a massive advantage. Based on the content of the latest weather forecasts and track reports, the debut of the Hard compound might just be the wildcard that shakes up the podium.
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