Image: 2025 Japan GP – Ferrari – Lewis Hamilton – FP1 By Liauzh – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, (Wikipedia)
By Staff Writer | Open Chronicle with Agencies
Budapest, July 31, 2025 — As Formula 1 gears up for the final race before the summer break, all eyes are on the Hungarian Grand Prix, a milestone 40th edition, and the unique demands of the twisty, technical Hungaroring circuit. But it’s not just the drivers and teams preparing for a challenge: tyre supplier Pirelli has also made a strategic decision that could shape the weekend’s outcome.
Pirelli has confirmed that the softest tyre in its 2025 range, the new C6 compound, will not be available for the Hungarian round. Instead, the Milan-based manufacturer will bring the same trio of slick tyres used at last year’s event: the C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium), and C5 (Soft).
Why No C6 for Hungary?
Although the C6 compound was introduced earlier this year to expand strategic options, Pirelli says it’s simply not suited to the demands of the Hungaroring.
“The C6 would be too extreme a choice for a track that exerts this level of energy density on the tyres for every lap,” Pirelli stated. “While the absolute loads aren’t the highest on the calendar, the short lap length increases the cumulative stress significantly over a race distance.”
The Hungaroring hosts F1’s final on-track action before the summer break. After the #HungarianGP 40th edition, Pirelli tests 2026 tyres on 5–6 Aug. Ferrari, McLaren, Racing Bulls (1 day each) and Alpine (2 days) take part. Read the full preview here 👉https://t.co/XFxv1ULcKT #F1 pic.twitter.com/zYLnz6dSAU
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) July 29, 2025
Adding to the difficulty is the notoriously high track temperature in Hungary. Last year’s race set the season-high track temp at a scorching 58.6°C, driven in part by the circuit’s dark surface, which absorbs heat rapidly. These conditions lead to high thermal degradation, a scenario in which even the C5 is expected to be on the edge of its optimal range.
New Asphalt, Same Challenge
The Hungaroring is undergoing a major transformation this year. The pit complex, main straight, and grandstand areas have all seen upgrades, while the pit lane and grid area have been resurfaced with 860 tonnes of a new bitumen mix featuring a higher softening point, a design choice aimed at withstanding Hungary’s punishing summer heat.
Despite the upgrades, tyre wear and degradation remain front and center. Pirelli’s cautious approach reflects its understanding of the unique stresses generated by the circuit’s constant sequence of slow to medium-speed corners.
Strategic Insights from 2024
Last year’s Hungarian GP provided a rich case study in tyre management. The dominant strategy was a two-stop, primarily utilizing the C3 and C4. Thirteen drivers opted for the Medium (C4) at the start, finding it offered the best balance of pace and durability.
Others experimented with alternative approaches: four drivers began on the Soft (C5), three on the Hard (C3), and a few ran as many as three stops. Notably, Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) was the only driver to complete the race with a single stop.
Aston Martin’s duo, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, notably used all three compounds during their respective two-stop strategies, with Stroll also logging the longest stint on the Soft — 14 laps — showcasing its fragility in the Hungarian heat.
Looking Ahead
Following the race, Pirelli will remain at the circuit on August 5–6 to conduct a development test for its 2026 tyre range, as F1 prepares for further regulation changes. The data from this weekend’s race will be key in informing future compound behavior under similarly intense conditions.
As F1 heads into its summer break, the tyre battle at the Hungaroring will once again be a critical factor, and with no C6 in sight, teams will need to dig deep into their strategic playbooks to extract every bit of performance from Pirelli’s more familiar compounds.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.