Pirelli's 'experiment' brings negative news for Red Bull - report

      "This could establish a trend for the future."

      Pirelli plans to conduct an "experiment" aimed at avoiding a repeat of the processional Japanese GP. Suzuka was repaved in preparation for the 2025 race, and with the increasingly fast cars and the hardest tyre compounds, there was virtually no overtaking. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur anticipates a similar scenario later this season. "Yes, it will likely turn into a 'qualifying championship'," stated the Frenchman.

      This weekend in Bahrain, hard compounds will once again be provided, but the conditions are quite different from those at Suzuka, featuring much higher temperatures and greater tyre wear. Furthermore, as reported by Auto Motor und Sport, Pirelli plans to modify some of its initial selections and supply softer compounds for upcoming races. Journalist Michael Schmidt noted that this would start with an "experiment" in both Miami and Imola, transitioning to softer tyres. The brand new, super-soft C6 compound is set to appear at Imola. "If the experiment proves successful, it could pave the way for future changes," he added, mentioning that Pirelli will officially announce this on Wednesday. "We might even see softer tyres for the rest of the season."

      This news poses challenges for Red Bull, whose car is considerably more demanding on tyres compared to McLaren. "There are many slow corners in Bahrain," said Schmidt, "and if you encounter an issue there, it can be quite problematic."