Pirelli Publishes 2026 Dutch GP Competition Notes
Pirelli issued its competition preview for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 19 August 2026. The document details tyre compounds and track characteristics ahead of the Sprint-format event, the final race at the circuit. Formula 1 confirmed the C2 hard, C3 medium and C4 soft allocation, matching the 2025 selection.
Tyre Compounds Selected
Pirelli selected the C2 compound as the hard tyre, the C3 as the medium and the C4 as the soft for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix.[1] The allocation matches the compounds used at Zandvoort in 2025. The FIA and Formula 1 published the details 12 hours before this report.
Sprint Weekend Context
Zandvoort hosts its first Sprint weekend in 2026.[2] Teams receive only one hour of free practice to finalise setups. The circuit measures 4.259 km and runs 72 laps for the Grand Prix.
Track Characteristics Noted
Pirelli's preview highlights low grip levels from the asphalt and sand blown onto the track from nearby beaches.[1] Banking in several corners increases lateral loads on the tyres. The event marks the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort under the current contract.[3]
Related reading
- [1]What tyres will the teams have for the Dutch Grand Prix? (formula1). Accessed 2026-08-20.
- [2]In the Netherlands with the Sprint format (pirelli). Accessed 2026-08-20.
- [3]2026 Dutch Grand Prix (wikipedia). Accessed 2026-08-20.