For Charles Leclerc, “the front left tire is going to cry” at Barcelona
The Ferrari driver believes that the front left tires will "cry" on the new Barcelona circuit during the Spanish Grand Prix.
The modification of the Barcelona track, with the removal of the chicane before the last corner, creates a high-speed passage in turns 13 and 14. Charles Leclerc expects the front left tire to suffer more than before: “I think the front left will cry throughout the race,” laughed the Monégasque driver.
« It’s the same for everyone, it will be a big challenge in terms of adjustments but also to try and help the left front as much as possible. I hope that with the new parts we are bringing, we will be good at managing tires, because I expect that to be the most important thing in Barcelona. »
Lando Norris also indicated that the new layout would be more challenging for the drivers. It will be even more demanding physically on the neck, so I’m not looking forward to it at all, stated the McLaren driver. The last corner is tricky, to be honest. I wouldn’t say it will be flat out, but I think it should enhance the racing spectacle. It could become more of a race of management than it already is, and it’s already a huge management race.
Isola reassures about the durability of the tires
Mario Isola, the boss of tire manufacturer Pirelli, highlighted that without the acceleration zone at the exit of the chicane, the rear tires will be less solicited. « It will probably be a bit harder than usual for the left front tire, but a bit less for the rear tires because sector 3 was very stressful for traction, he said. « We have received simulations from the teams, and we have already had some sessions with F3 and F2, the season tests. So, we have an idea. »
This year, Pirelli has decided that teams will be able to use the hardest ranges of tires from the tire selection. Isola believes that this will allow for the adoption of multiple strategies. We have the C1, C2, and C3 compounds. Last year, we had what we now call C0, but it was too hard. Everyone was using C2 and C3, and we had three pit stops. The new C1 is much closer to C2. So, I can imagine that we will have a mix of strategies, maybe using all three compounds. We need to do some calculations, but it is likely that the race will be a two-stop strategy.
The condition of the tires will still be paramount for the drivers on this demanding track.
