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Tyre Review were lucky enough to receive an invitation from Pirelli to attend the 2025 Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix. As the official tyre supplier for F1, F2, and F3 racing series, Pirelli provided a unique opportunity to experience this renowned motorsport event from the inside. This special access provided us with behind-the-scenes insights into the crucial role that tyre technology plays in race strategy and performance across all three racing categories during the thrilling weekend of high-speed competition.
Albert Park Circuit
The Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia, is a temporary street circuit that’s hosted Formula 1's Australian Grand Prix since 1996. Measuring 5.278 km (3.280 miles) in length with 14 turns, this clockwise track is built around Albert Park Lake and features a mix of medium to high-speed corners.
The circuit is known for providing exciting racing early in the F1 season.
With an average speed of around 230 km/h (143 mph), the track is considered a medium-high downforce circuit and offers several key overtaking opportunities, particularly at Turn 1 after the start/finish straight and in the DRS zone leading onto the main straight. The complete race distance spans 58 laps, totalling 306.124 km, and the circuit is known for providing exciting racing early in the F1 season, making it popular among both drivers and fans.
History of Pirelli with F1
Pirelli’s relationship with Formula 1 spans back to the sport's very beginnings. When F1 held its first championship race at Silverstone in 1950, Pirelli was right there on the starting grid as one of the original tyre suppliers.
Those early years saw Pirelli contribute to many victories before they stepped away in 1957 to explore other opportunities in motorsport and focus on developing their road tyres. It would be over two decades before they returned to the F1 paddock.
Their comeback in 1981 marked the beginning of an exciting competitive era where Pirelli went head-to-head with other manufacturers, particularly Goodyear. During this ten-year stint, they achieved impressive results with 44 podium finishes, partnering with iconic teams like Brabham, Benetton, and Tyrrell. However, after the 1991 season, Pirelli once again bid farewell to Formula 1.
The most significant chapter in Pirelli's F1 story began in 2011 when they returned as the exclusive tyre supplier, taking over from Bridgestone. This time, they came with an interesting mandate – to deliberately create tyres that would strategically degrade to make racing more exciting and unpredictable.
After several contract extensions, their current agreement runs through 2025. It's been quite a journey from those early days at Silverstone, hasn't it?
Pirelli’s relationship with Formula 1 spans back to the sport's very beginnings.
Formula 1 Tyres
Pirelli's color-coded tyre system has become a cornerstone of Formula 1 strategy, making the complex world of tyre management accessible to fans. From the grippier red-walled soft compounds to the more durable, white-walled hard tyres, this visual system has transformed how viewers understand race tactics. For wet conditions, the green intermediates and blue full wet tyres complete the palette.
Pirelli's color-coded tyre system has become a cornerstone of Formula 1 strategy.
Currently, all Pirelli F1 tyres are fitted to forged magnesium BBS wheels. BBS has been the exclusive wheel supplier to F1 since 2022, coinciding with the introduction of the larger 18-inch wheels. This partnership represented a significant technical shift from the previous 13-inch format, dramatically changing the tyres' behaviour by reducing sidewall height and creating more precise handling characteristics.
However, this standardisation will change in 2026 when the new technical regulations come into force. Teams will then be allowed to choose their own wheel suppliers, introducing another strategic variable into the sport and potentially creating new technical partnerships.
Pirelli's engineering challenges remain immense regardless of the wheel supplier. Tyre Review was lucky enough to have a sneak peek into what goes on in the tyre warehouse behind the racecourse. Their tyres must withstand extreme temperatures exceeding 100°C while maintaining structural integrity under loads of over 1,000kg, and the compounds themselves are highly specialised rubber mixtures, continuously refined to achieve specific performance characteristics.
Our weekend with Pirelli at the Melbourne Grand Prix revealed just how much these specialised rubber compounds influence the spectacle of Formula 1.
Pirelli's F1 Tyre Recycling Initiative
Pirelli has implemented an environmental program for all used Formula 1 tyres. After each race weekend, every tyre is collected and transported to Pirelli's facilities where they undergo recycling processes that transform them into valuable materials. The tyres are typically ground into rubber crumb or powder, which finds new life in athletic surfaces, road construction, industrial flooring, and urban furniture. This recycling initiative aligns with Formula 1's broader sustainability goals, including their target to achieve net-zero carbon status by 2030, demonstrating Pirelli's commitment to reducing the sport's environmental impact.
Our weekend with Pirelli at the Melbourne Grand Prix revealed just how much these specialised rubber compounds influence the spectacle of Formula 1. From the colourful sidewalls that help fans decode race strategy to the extreme engineering that goes into each tyre, Pirelli's role extends far beyond simply being a supplier. As we watched the cars scream around Albert Park Circuit, we gained a newfound appreciation for how tyre technology shapes every aspect of modern racing—from qualifying tactics to race-day strategy and even environmental sustainability. While the 2026 regulations will bring new wheel partnerships into play, one thing remains certain: in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, understanding tyres isn't just for specialists anymore— it's essential knowledge for anyone who truly wants to appreciate the split-second decisions and technical brilliance that define this incredible sport.