What tyres will the teams and drivers have in China?

Pirelli has announced the tyre selection for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, choosing the C2, C3, and C4 compounds for the Shanghai weekend. Due to the Sprint format, teams will have only one practice session to prepare, making tyre management critical, with a reduced total allocation of 12 sets per driver. Pirelli highlighted the circuit's mix of high and low-speed corners as a significant challenge for energy recovery and thermal degradation. While the track was resurfaced in 2024, the manufacturer expects grip levels to be slightly lower than in previous years, though simulations suggest performance will remain competitive due to the new car regulations and straight-line speed characteristics.