What Are the Tyre Options for the 2026 Dutch GP?

Formula 1 returns to Circuit Zandvoort, tucked into the dunes on the North Sea coast just west of Amsterdam, as the sport heads into the second half of the season straight after the summer shutdown. 2026 marks a poignant milestone for this race as it will bring down the curtain on Zandvoort's modern F1 era.

Known for its rollercoaster flow through the dunes, the two banked corners, Turn 3 (Hugenholtzbocht) and Turn 14 (Arie Luyendijkbocht), generate exceptionally high vertical and lateral loads and with sand blown in from the nearby beaches cutting into an already low-grip surface, managing tyre temperatures and load is critical.

As with last year, Pirelli is providing the medium group of tyre compounds for this event. The C4 acts as the Soft, the C3 as the Medium and the C2 as the Hard tyre.

Additionally, teams have five sets of Intermediates and two sets of full Wet tyres to navigate adverse weather conditions. Drivers reaching Q3 will also receive an extra set of Softs. All drivers must use at least two different tyre compounds during a dry Grand Prix.

Held in the height of the European summer, the Dutch Grand Prix has become known for its unpredictable coastal weather, with cooler temperatures, sudden showers and gusting winds all capable of shifting strategy at short notice. 2026 also introduces a new consideration: a Sprint weekend, giving teams just a single Free Practice session to understand tyre behaviour before the competitive sessions begin.

What Are the 2026 F1 Tyres?

The Pirelli tyres for 2026 are 18-inch wheels. Front tyres are 705mm in height and 280mm in width (a 25mm decrease from previous years) and rear tyres are now 710mm in height and 375mm in width (a 30mm reduction from previous seasons).

In 2026, there will be five compounds of dry tyres to choose from across the season, C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5.