Tire allocation for Sprint Races

This 2021 season will mark the start of Sprint Races in Formula 1. During the year, three Sprint rounds will take place, two on a European Grand Prix, and one outside the Old Continent.

Three new rounds for which Pirelli has decided to review its tire allocation. Thus, each driver will have a total of 12 sets of tires compared to the usual 13: 6 soft (red), 4 medium (yellow) and two hard (white) in addition to the 4 sets of intermediate (green) and 3 rain. like every race weekend.

The manufacturer also indicated the new instructions for using tires for the Sprint rounds:

• Free Practice: in FP1, each driver must use two sets, regardless of the type of rubber, and provide one to Pirelli at the end of the session. In EL2, competitors will be able to use as many sets as desired.
• Qualifying: only soft tires will be allowed, up to five sets and only one in Q3. Pirelli also says drivers will not be forced to start the Grand Prix on Sunday with the gear used to record their best time in Q2.
• Sprint race: drivers have a free choice. At the end of the Sprint Race, they will have to return to Pirelli the set of tires with the most laps completed. Unlike the Sunday Grand Prix, there is no obligation to stop at the pits. If the race takes place in wet conditions, each driver must provide Pirelli with the intermediate or rain gear used. In return, the Italian manufacturer will replace it with an additional set of intermediaries.
• Grand Prix: each driver chooses his strategy with the obligation to use two different components but without the need to use the famous Q2 gear. The obligatory pit stop is logically maintained. The rule that Pirelli selects two sets of tires for the race remains in force.

Find here all the additional information regarding the Sprint rounds scheduled over three weekends this year.