Tires Pirelli with eighteen-inch rim are one of the technical innovations that characterize the new generation of Formula 1 single-seaters. Their construction inevitably more rigid than the previous thirteen-inch tires, satisfied the drivers in terms of driving sensations and also promises to create less headaches for them in management. operating temperature and wear.
For now, this new tire fully satisfies the expectations of the technicians of the long P company. However, it should be borne in mind that these new ground-effect cars are only at the beginning of their development cycle. It is therefore normal to expect already this season that a significant increase in aerodynamic load will begin, which will certainly improve the performance of the cars but will also put more stress on the tires. To what extent will these tires be able to withstand an increase in load without having to review their construction? On the occasion of the Pirelli press conference held at the Circuit de Catalunya, Mario Isola answered this question as follows:
“We always try to design the best possible tire and have done a great job at the virtual design level to optimize the construction from the point of view of integrity and performance. We have the option of increasing the inflation pressure to compensate for the increase in downforce. This is what we normally do in these cases. Today, however, we are facing such a change that it is difficult for the teams to predict the level of load they will be able to reach. But as I said, we are confident that we have created a good product. “
It is to be considered that if an increase in the minimum pressure imposed on the tires were really to be achieved, there could be variations in the level of performance between the various cars. In fact, we remember well the controversies that have always accompanied the issue of compliance with minimum inflation pressures by teams who always try to run with the lowest possible pressure in order not to deteriorate the level of grip and therefore of performance.
Isola also shared with the media some very positive impressions that Pirelli had from the riders after the first days of testing in Barcelona:
“In the Abu Dhabi tests at the end of 2021 with last year’s cars fitted with the new eighteen-inch tires, the drivers complained of a marked understeer, but this phenomenon here in Barcelona with the new cars has significantly reduced. It is too early to draw conclusions on the degradation of these tires because the asphalt temperatures are not comparable to those we will have in May during the Grand Prix. Anyway I think the riders will have to suffer less to manage tire degradation in the race. The impression they get is also that these new tires are able to recover the level of grip and performance after a phase of driving at the limit much faster than the thirteen-inch tires“.
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