F1 teams satisfied with the new Pirelli tires
This first Grand Prix weekend in Bahrain was an opportunity for teams to test the new Pirelli compound. The manufacturer announces that the feedback from the teams is very positive.
The 2022 season, with the return of ground effect cars and the switch to 18-inch wheels, was the scene of beautiful overtakes.
We had a very successful year in Formula 1, thanks to the new regulations. The new cars allow drivers to closely follow each other without losing grip. It is clear that they help the tires, because when you follow another car, you don’t lose downforce, so you don’t start sliding or overheating the tire. All of this creates a better spectacle, more action on the track, more overtaking. I believe this is exactly what the spectators want to see, affirms Mario Isola, head of Pirelli, in an interview given to the media after the winter tests in Bahrain.
However, the drivers have often complained about understeer, a problem that Pirelli had not been able to predict.
« It was not possible for us to predict, because with the new cars in 2021, we did not see this effect. The cars were balanced, both at high speed and at low speed. With the new aerodynamic package, we discovered that this tendency for understeer at low speed was common throughout the paddock. That is why we decided to introduce a new tire in 2023, with a stronger front and a more balanced tire between the front and rear.»
« It was not possible for us to predict because with the new cars in 2021, we did not see this effect. The cars were balanced, both at high speed and low speed. With the new aerodynamic package, we discovered that this tendency for understeer at low speed was common throughout the paddock. That is why we decided to introduce a new tire in 2023, with a stronger front and a more balanced tire between the front and rear. »
With the new 2023 tire, the C1, all of this should be resolved. As a reminder, last year’s tires ranged from C1 to C5. This season, the Italian supplier has added the C0, increasing the number of compounds from five to six.
These new tires were used for the first time in Bahrain last weekend and they seem to have delighted the teams.
On the C1, the balance sheet is positive. All the teams in the paddock came back to me to tell me that they were satisfied with the new compound.
It was a bit difficult, especially on the first day of testing, the first day, the second day, because they have a new car and they probably also designed a new car to reduce understeer. We gave them a tire designed to reduce understeer and they had to match the new car with a new tire to balance the car. It wasn’t easy on the first and second day. The wind also disturbed the car settings a bit. But on the third day, the reactions were positive. The cars are more balanced, they are faster, the wear profile is better. They can run with 2 psi less in the front and 2.5 psi less in the rear. This obviously promotes traction.
New rain erasers
Pirelli took advantage of the off-season to configure new rain tires that will not require the use of tire warmers. They will be available starting from the Imola Grand Prix.
We received the authorization from the FIA. And we will use it without coverage. The level of heat and grip is much better than before. I am very optimistic about this.
However, the issue of water splashing is still relevant. The new ground-effect cars splash a lot more water than the ones from 2021, which hampers the visibility of the drivers. Mario Isola doesn’t think he can solve this problem.
« No, it is not something that we can control. If the goal is to have a tire that can function with a good amount of water, the water must go somewhere. »
