The Dutch Grand Prix return to the Formula 1 calendar after 36 years of absence. Formula One official tyre suppliers Pirelli reveals their tyre choices for 2021 Dutch Grand Prix.
The return of the Dutch Grand Prix was initially scheduled for 2020 but postponed to this year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Pirelli tested special tyres for 2020 Dutch GP but not for 2021. With some high-energy corners and no relevant previous data to fall back on, the hardest tyres are the most suitable choice.
Hard Tyres are prime choice
The three hardest compounds in the P Zero range have been chosen for the fourth time this season. The C1 is the P Zero White hard, the C2 is the P Zero Yellow medium, and the C3 is the P Zero Red soft.
As expected from a circuit that was originally inaugurated back in 1948, Zandvoort has a distinctly old-school feel to it, with fast and narrow turns, along with a number of elevation changes.
One of the most famous corners is the Tarzan hairpin: the first corner of the lap, which is now closer to the start-finish line than it was previously. The Hans Ernst bend towards the end of the lap also has a wider exit than it did before, enabling drivers to get on the power sooner.
The Zandvoort circuit looks somewhat different to the track that last hosted Formula 1 in 1985. In particular, turns 3 and 14 (named after former circuit director John Hugenholtz and Dutch driver Arie Luyendyk respectively) are now banked at around 19 degrees.
That’s roughly double the banking at Indianapolis, which is about nine degrees – meaning that the cars will be able to take these corners much faster than they did in the past, with more energy going through the tyres.
Zandvoort is located in an area of sand dunes near the beach, with the wind sometimes blowing sand onto the track and affecting grip; an issue normally associated with places like Bahrain.
MARIO ISOLA – HEAD OF F1 AND CAR RACING
“The Dutch Grand Prix is obviously a new challenge but thanks to the data provided by Formula 1 and the teams, we have been able to come up with a tyre nomination and prescriptions that are closely aligned to what we can expect from this exciting new venue. Being a new track, the free practice sessions will also be essential when it comes to gathering real data and formulating the tyre strategy for the race. What’s for sure is that the circuit layout is going to place heavy demands on the tyres, as can be seen from the computer simulations that we have already carried out. We’ve already raced at Zandvoort in the GT World Challenge this year, and this too has provided us with some useful information.”
