R5 – Tyre Selection

The first triple-header of the 2025 season is coming to an end on the shores of the Red Sea.

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix first appeared on the calendar in December 2021, with the next three events taking place in March and this year will be the first time it will run in April.

The track is 6.174 kilometres long and one of the fastest of the season with drivers spending around 80% of the lap with the accelerator buried to the floor, even though it is fair twisty and boasts a record number of corners, 27 in fact.

The track surface is not very abrasive, with an average level of roughness, but the lateral forces exerted on the tyres are considerable, although not at the level to be found at Suzuka or Barcelona for example.

Graining can put in an appearance, especially in the first free practice sessions as the track is very dirty to start with, because it is rarely used for motor racing.
However, with several support categories also racing, track condition improves over the course of the weekend, so that this phenomenon diminishes.

The choice of compounds for the first four races of this season were the same as last year’s but for round five, Pirelli has taken a softer step.
C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium) and the C5 (Soft) are the trio selected Jeddah.

In 2024, Bottas was the only driver to pit twice, with all the others going for the one-stop, with the vast majority starting on the Medium and then switching to the Hard tyre for the second stint.