Pirelli changes tyre choice for the Brazilian Grand Prix after last year’s high wear issues. Pirelli has announced a new tyre selection for the 2025 Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix.

Pirelli changes tyre compounds for the Brazilian GP compared to last year’s race

Formula 1 returns to the track this weekend at the legendary Interlagos circuit, and Pirelli has confirmed its tyre choices for the Brazilian Grand Prix. The Italian tyre manufacturer has opted for a selection that is one step harder than the compounds used in the 2024 edition. Last year, the rain prevented teams from running on slick tyres during Sunday’s race, but the data collected on Friday and Saturday provided crucial insights that influenced this season’s decision.

Once again, weather conditions are expected to be unpredictable, meaning a wet race cannot be ruled out. However, data from last year clearly showed that tyre wear was higher than anticipated. This time, Pirelli’s choice aims to give the teams greater flexibility, allowing them to consider the red-marked Soft compound as a genuine option for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

The compounds for the Brazilian GP

For the 2025 Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix, Pirelli will bring the C2, C3, and C4 compounds to Interlagos. This decision is based on the information gathered during last season’s Friday and Saturday sessions. The Soft tyre was used only during the Sprint Qualifying, while most teams chose to avoid it entirely for the race due to concerns over degradation.

In 2024, the Interlagos circuit had been newly resurfaced, and teams struggled with significant graining on the rear tyres. Since the main race was heavily affected by rain, there was no meaningful dry-race data available, but simulations had indicated that a two-stop strategy would have been the most effective. With this year’s harder selection, Pirelli aims to improve tyre longevity and performance consistency. However, as is typical during Sprint weekends, teams will have just one Free Practice session to gather as much data as possible before the competitive sessions begin. The Saturday Sprint race will therefore play a vital role in helping teams evaluate long-run performance under race conditions.

Track characteristics

The Interlagos circuit presents several unique characteristics that teams will need to manage carefully. According to Pirelli, the track is expected to evolve significantly throughout the weekend, especially following the recent resurfacing and maintenance work carried out in recent months. The lateral and longitudinal forces on the tyres are moderate, meaning that the overall stress on the car is fairly evenly distributed between the front and rear axles.

Although traction is not a primary factor at Interlagos, it becomes increasingly important during the race itself, particularly in wheel-to-wheel battles. One of the most crucial points for overtaking will once again be the exit from Turn 12, known as “Junção,” which determines top speed along the pit straight — one of the best overtaking opportunities on the circuit. Another challenge that teams will face is the uneven track surface, characterized by multiple bumps and irregularities. Managing these variations will be essential to finding the ideal setup and ensuring consistent performance throughout both the Sprint and the main race.