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Pirelli P Zero medium slick on a display car, photographed on 1 August 2026. Illustrative tyre photo. Resized and converted to WebP.

Sepang surface breaks up as Friday runs miss Pirelli simulations by up to 4.5 seconds

Archive photograph: Pirelli P Zero medium slick on a display car, photographed on 1 August 2026. Illustrative tyre photo. Resized and converted to WebP. · 2026-08-01Archive photo · 2026-08-01 · TaurusEmerald · CC BY-SA 4.0

Motorsport.com reported that Friday one-lap runs at Sepang were up to 4.5 seconds slower than Pirelli’s qualifying simulations as the surface began breaking up. Pirelli’s race report describes the wet-weather tyre use and different strategies for the podium finishers.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Friday one-lap runs at Sepang were reported to be as much as 4.5 seconds slower than Pirelli’s qualifying simulations. Motorsport.com attributed the comparison to Pirelli chief engineer Simone Berra, who pointed to the rough surface and lower grip. The circuit surface also began breaking up during practice, and sweepers were sent out after FP2 to clear stones.

Berra said punctures were not a major concern, while describing low grip as a consequence of the rough surface. He separately warned that the surface could deteriorate further during the race.

Pirelli’s post-race account says nine drivers started on intermediates, six more switched to them early, and every compound except Full Wet was used. The supplier lists different tyre sequences for the top three: Verstappen used intermediates followed by three sets of softs; Antonelli used intermediates, mediums and two sets of softs; Hamilton used softs, mediums and softs.

Pirelli also says neutralisations influenced late-race tyre choices and that the Soft allowed long stints.

Sources 03
  1. SOURCEWhy extremely rough Sepang was over four seconds slower than Pirelli's F1 simulationsMotorsport.com F1
  2. PRIMARY SOURCEDoc 1 - Competition Notes - Pirelli PreviewFIA F1 decision documents
  3. PRIMARY SOURCESepang debuts the Intermediates and crowns VerstappenPirelli press office
Source context

Motorsport.com attributes the Friday simulation comparison and Berra’s puncture assessment to him. Pirelli’s post-race report describes race tyre use and the supplier’s own views on tyre performance; neither report establishes that Friday’s conditions or tyre strategies determined the result.