Pirelli plans to retain the familiar Soft, Medium and Hard labels in Formula 1 for 2027, even though the structures and compound formulations beneath those names will change. The tyre supplier will also continue with five compound levels as its development programme moves from structural work towards refining the behaviour of the new rubber.
Work on the Pirelli 2027 F1 tyres began while the 2026 championship was still under way, with testing at Silverstone providing one of the most important stages so far. The objective is to prepare tyres capable of handling the performance and loads expected from cars as they continue to develop, while preserving enough strategic variation to support different approaches during races.
Pirelli reaches key milestone with its 2027 F1 tyre structure
Pirelli Motorsport Director Dario Marrafuschi outlined the programme during an exclusive interview with F1inGenerale. Before the Silverstone test, Marrafuschi explained that development was progressing simultaneously on the tyre structures and compounds intended for 2027.
The Silverstone session was a central part of establishing the structure that will be used next season. Although Pirelli is conducting its work with current Formula 1 cars, the prototypes must anticipate the additional performance that could emerge through future car development.
That requires the supplier to choose solutions offering an adequate margin over present load levels. Track information is assessed alongside simulation results and predictive calculations, allowing Pirelli to estimate how each prototype could respond as the cars become faster and place greater demands on the tyres.
Five Pirelli compound levels will remain in 2027
With structural development now at a more advanced stage, increasing attention is being directed towards the compounds. Work in this area had already started before the structure was finalised, but subsequent tests are expected to concentrate more heavily on refining the characteristics and behaviour of the different solutions.
Marrafuschi confirmed that the range will continue to contain five compound levels in 2027. Their formulations, however, will not be the same as those currently used. This forms part of Pirelli’s wider 2027 Formula 1 tyre programme, which is intended to deliver new technical specifications without changing the basic size of the compound range.
Pirelli wants different pit-stop strategies to remain competitive
The philosophy behind the tyres is not changing. Pirelli still wants Formula 1 races in which different strategic approaches can compete effectively, rather than producing one obvious route for every driver.
The intended balance could allow a one-stop strategy to challenge a two-stop approach, or make two stops a credible alternative to three. Pirelli’s efforts to create more strategic variation have also influenced its approach to compound selection, with degradation remaining one of the tools available for encouraging meaningful differences between race plans.
Why Formula 1 tyre degradation varies between circuits
Creating that strategic range is complicated by the substantial differences between Grands Prix. Circuit layouts, asphalt characteristics and temperatures all affect how the tyres perform, meaning a compound can behave very differently from one weekend to another.
Degradation therefore cannot be controlled through compound formulation alone. The relationship between the tyre and each circuit produces a different set of demands, which is why understanding how Formula 1 tyre degradation changes is essential when Pirelli evaluates its prototypes and future race selections.
Soft, Medium and Hard names are expected to stay
Despite the technical changes being prepared, Pirelli does not appear interested in replacing the Soft, Medium and Hard labels used during Grand Prix weekends. Marrafuschi emphasised that Formula 1 is already highly complex and that these three names are clearly understood by fans.
The identification system is therefore expected to remain familiar even as the structures and compound formulations change beneath it. For supporters, the visible language of tyre strategy should stay simple: the available selections at each event will continue to be presented as Soft, Medium and Hard.
Pirelli’s 2027 programme consequently combines substantial technical development with continuity in how the tyres are communicated. The structures are being prepared for future performance demands, the five compound levels will receive revised formulations and strategic variety remains the target, but fans should not need to learn a new set of tyre names.
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