The tires are expected to suffer in Korea
The Yeongam circuit will host its second Formula 1 race this weekend, the first with Pirelli as the tire manufacturer. And the Italian company has decided to supply drivers with soft and supersoft tires, which should make for an interesting race because the South Korean track is very abrasive, and tire wear should therefore be significant.
As the world drivers’ championship is decided, and the constructors’ championship is almost decided as well, Pirelli has decided to take a little gamble by bringing its two softest compounds to South Korea. The weekend should provide interesting data on the performance of the Italian manufacturer’s tires for the development of the 2012 tires.
South Korea will subject the supersoft tires to their most challenging test of the year, but since the (fight for the) title is over, it’s an interesting opportunity for us to try new things to gather information for the next season. Given the abrasive track and the high lateral load applied to the tires in South Korea, we should expect to see a greater number of stops than usual for drivers whose strategy is based on the softest tires, stated Paul Hembery.
Hembery, Pirelli’s motorsport director, also knows that all of this could change if rain decides to make an appearance, as was the case last season.
«Some will prefer to focus on the hardest tires, so it will be an interesting race from a tactical point of view. But all this could completely change if it rains, which is also possible.»
Heikki Kovalainen thinks that with Pirelli’s choice and probably significant wear, strategy will be even more important than usual in South Korea.
«The circuit itself is interesting – there is a long straight line with a tight turn at the end which offers an overtaking opportunity, and with Pirelli’s choice of tires with the softs and supersofts added to the significant wear expected, this should make strategy even more important,» said the Team Lotus driver.
Kamui Kobayashi knows that tire management is crucial on the Yeongam circuit, and this could once again lead to a qualifying session where drivers decide to save their tires for the race once Q3 is reached.
The choice of Pirelli also comes from the fact that the Yeongam circuit is recent and therefore lacks grip. The softest tires are needed to help drivers achieve maximum grip on the circuit and to ensure that the track becomes rubbered in as various practice sessions take place.
But this significant tire degradation could lead to interesting strategies for the race, especially if some teams continue to experience higher degradation than others – which was the case notably at Spa-Francorchamps and again on Sunday at Suzuka, where the Red Bulls seemed to wear out their tires a bit faster than the Ferraris or the McLarens.
