Formula 1’s pursuit of strategic unpredictability got a jolt at the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where teams and drivers wrestled with a surprise debut of the new C6 tire compound. Originally expected to make its first appearance in Monaco, the ultra-soft rubber was instead introduced at Imola – and its performance stirred confusion, calculated gambles, and pointed feedback from the grid.
Alex Albon, who qualified seventh for Williams, summed it up best: “Understanding the C6s was difficult.”
That difficulty wasn’t entirely accidental. Formula 1, in collaboration with Pirelli and the FIA, has been looking for ways to introduce more variables into race strategy. With teams so good at optimizing performance through simulations and data, tyre degradation has become one of the few remaining levers for race unpredictability. The C6 was developed to push the limits on softness and encourage more diverse pit stop strategies – in particular, creating a clearer performance offset between compounds that might inspire two-stop races.
Originally scheduled for a Monaco rollout, the C6 was brought forward to Imola after Pirelli found that the standard compounds in early-season races were performing too similarly. This convergence had made one-stop races too dominant, limiting both fan engagement and strategic creativity.
A Fragile Balance: When Softer Becomes Too Soft
Despite the intentions, initial feedback suggested the C6 might have overstepped. Several drivers noted that the compound was too delicate for Imola’s high-speed layout, with the rubber degrading significantly even over a single qualifying lap.
“There are too many high-speed corners for it,” said Albon. “It’s just falling over a little bit. It’s a bit too sensitive for this track type.”
Albon wasn’t alone in his concern. Many teams experimented with their tire choices during qualifying, and the results revealed just how marginal the C6 was. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Mercedes’ George Russell opted for the medium compound (C5) in key qualifying runs, believing it might offer better overall performance – but doing so meant sacrificing fresher tire sets for the race.
Alonso explained the team’s approach: “We decided to do one soft, one medium in each of the qualifying sessions. Like this, we covered every possibility.”
However, the trade-off was significant. By using more mediums in qualifying, Aston Martin had to give up one of their hard tire sets for Sunday – a potentially risky decision on a circuit known for its limited overtaking and long pit lane.
Strategic Tensions and Long-Term Goals
The long pit lane at Imola – costing drivers around 28 seconds per stop – naturally pushes teams toward a one-stop strategy. This inherent characteristic clashed with Pirelli’s hopes of creating more tactical variety through degradation.
Carlos Sainz, who ended qualifying in sixth after going fastest in Q2, noted that while the C5 (the former softest compound) was clearly the faster option over a single lap, Ferrari opted to avoid using it in Q3 to preserve tire life for Sunday.
“I would have done it,” said Sainz, “but the team was very disciplined not to use it. A good lap on C5 would’ve gained maybe one position – not worth the trade.”
Max Verstappen echoed a similar sentiment. Despite qualifying second on the C6, he emphasized the importance of race-day preparation over grid position.
“I’ve been on pole a few times this year, but after that, it didn’t really help much,” Verstappen said. “We have to make sure we score points in the race – that’s the most important thing.”
Pirelli’s Vision: Variety Through Compound Gaps
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix served as a live experiment for what Pirelli envisions as the future of race weekends. By introducing compounds with greater performance and wear differentials – and potentially skipping adjacent compounds (e.g., C2, C4, C6 rather than C3, C4, C5) – the tire manufacturer hopes to shake up the grid and force teams into making real decisions.
Although the C6’s early debut wasn’t universally loved, it did create some variety. The tire’s fragility triggered split strategies, bold qualifying experiments, and unusual grid shakeups. And Pirelli isn’t backing down – the compound is now under consideration for other technical circuits like Baku, Las Vegas, and Montreal.
Whether the tire proves successful will depend on what happens Sunday. If drivers like Alonso and Russell gain ground from their tire gambles, expect more teams to follow suit. But if they fall back due to worn rubber or lack of strategic options, it may push the conversation back toward durability and control.
