Pirelli race preview: focus on thermal performance loss in Sakhir

This weekend marks the start of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship with the first of the 24 scheduled races, the Bahrain Grand Prix. Here are the key points regarding the tires for the Sakhir race.

Merely a week following the conclusion of pre-season trials, Formula 1 is set to make its return to Bahrain for the opening race of the 2024 season, scheduled from Thursday, February 29 to Saturday, March 2. The standard weekend format for the grand prix has been adjusted to start a day earlier – a change that will also apply to the next weekend’s race in Saudi Arabia – featuring two initial free practice sessions on Thursday, followed by the third free practice and qualifying on Friday, and culminating with the grand prix on Saturday. This adjustment by Formula 1 aims to accommodate the onset of Ramadan, which begins on the second Sunday of March.

Teams arrive in Sakhir armed with a comprehensive understanding of the car and tyre dynamics specific to this highly abrasive circuit, where maintaining traction and ensuring braking stability are crucial for both single-lap speed and sustained performance over longer stints.

The progression of the track conditions tends to be minimal, with ambient temperature playing the most significant role: the majority of the free practice sessions are held during the warmer parts of the day, complicating efforts to gather data that accurately reflects race conditions. Additionally, wind conditions can introduce another layer of complexity by depositing sand on the track surface and affecting car balance, making it unpredictable. Thermal tyre degradation is expected to play a critical role in determining race outcomes, even though tyre wear itself is typically not a major issue.

The Bahrain Grand Prix consistently stands out as one of the season’s most thrilling races, offering several spots for overtaking, especially at Turns 1, 4, and 11. The strategic variations prompted by tyre wear further contribute to an intriguing mix of performance levels across the grid.

Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!

In the previous year, the most popular strategy involved a two-stop race, primarily using the C1 and C3 tyre compounds, with McLaren being the lone team to opt for the C2.

This weekend’s event will celebrate the 20th edition of the Bahrain Grand Prix, despite there being a total of 21 races hosted at the venue, including the Sakhir Grand Prix in 2020, which was won by Sergio Perez of Racing Point.

Lewis Hamilton leads the record for the most victories here with five, ahead of Sebastian Vettel with four, and Fernando Alonso with three wins. Alonso is notable for being the only participant this weekend who also raced in Sakhir’s inaugural Grand Prix in 2004. Last season saw Max Verstappen clinch his first win at the Bahrain Grand Prix, breaking a 10-year winless streak for Red Bull at this venue. Scuderia Ferrari remains the most triumphant team in Bahrain, boasting seven victories.

GP Bahrain 2024: The Selected Compounds

Pirelli will bring the following compounds to Bahrain:

Pirelli PZero White Hard C1
Pirelli PZero Yellow Medium C2
Pirelli PZero Red Soft C3

Minimum Starting Pressures (slick tires)
Front: 22.0 psi
Rear: 19.0 psi

Maximum Camber
Front: -3.50°
Rear: -2.00°

Ferrari SF-24