Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Mario Isola has outlined the main tyre strategy risk facing teams ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit. The Pirelli motorsport chief warned that tyre graining could become a decisive factor during the race.
Graining occurs when tyre temperatures remain below the optimal working window, causing small chunks of rubber to tear from the surface and stick back onto the tyre. This process reduces grip and can compromise performance, particularly on circuits that place heavy load on the front tyres.
Shanghai is known for stressing the front-left tyre due to its long-radius corners, especially through Turn 1, where sustained lateral load can trigger graining if tyres are not managed carefully.
“The tyres are working quite well,” Isola told media, including RacingNews365.
“Graining is not a surprise here; the front left is stressed, especially because you have Turn 1 that is very long. If you initiate graining, it takes some time to clean it, but it is part of the show.”
The 56-lap race in Shanghai is traditionally expected to follow a one-stop strategy. However, Isola explained that the time difference between the commonly expected medium-to-hard strategy and an alternative soft-to-hard approach is extremely small.
“It is possible to start on the soft compound,” he said.
“You can plan a more aggressive start, and an early pit stop might help you get out of traffic. In terms of total race time, soft-hard is very close to the medium-hard strategy.”
According to Isola, there is no significant disadvantage in starting on the red-walled soft tyre, although teams would need to adapt their race strategy accordingly.
He also suggested that graining levels between the soft and medium compounds should be broadly similar, providing teams with additional strategic flexibility.
“Soft and medium should behave quite similarly in terms of graining, with slightly more on the soft but not a big difference,” Isola explained.
“The hard compound appears more consistent, and at this stage we are not expecting a major track evolution that would significantly reduce graining. Temperature will also play a role in how this develops during the race.”
With cooler ambient temperatures forecast for race day, tyre management, energy deployment, and strategy choices are expected to become key variables in determining the outcome of the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix.
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