F1 Update from the iSport F1 Pitstop: iSporter and Motorsport Expert Kunal Shah tells us what he expects from F1's new tyre supplier - Pirelli.
Italian tyre manufacturer won the F1 bid earlier this year to be F1's lone tyre supplier for 3 seasons, starting from the 2011 season. (Read: F1 Tyre Supplier: Pirelli Beats Michelin To The Line )
Post the Abu Dhabi GP, the F1 teams underwent a special tyre-test only to evaluate the new Pirelli tyres that they would be using from next season.
There have been mixed reactions from the drivers - Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa saying that the Pirelli front tyres offer more bite and hence will suit their driving style next season and other like Robert Kubica and Fernando Alonso openly stating that the tyre tests really didn't reveal much and only helped Pirelli and the F1 teams collect data for next season. The funny rumour also is that the tyres that Pirelli brought to Abu Dhabi for the test and the tyres that will be used next season will be completely different. While at this moment it is difficult to assume the situation for next year, I am attempting to write what a fan would expect from the new F1 tyre supplier next year.
Durability: We saw the Bridgestone tyres extremely durable in the 2010 season. Infact, their hard tyres were so durable at times that they were good to run the entire race distance on one set. We did see a few drivers pit on the very first lap, switch to the harder compound and race to the chequered flag. This durable tyre might have done wonderfully well for Bridgestone's image globally, showing that Bridgestone tyres could withstand the continuous stress of an F1 car. However, for the F1 fans and on-track action it added to boredom. Tyre strategies were as good as negligible if the race was totally dry and no team of driver attempted something unusual and that was mainly because the tyres didn't offer them the choice.
From Pirelli, I would hope to expect slightly less durable tyres - for both their compounds. F1 regulations would mean that all drivers have to use both the compounds of tyres at least once in the entire duration of the race. However, the Pirelli tyre should be designed in such a way that teams and drivers would need to pit at least twice during the race. This will not only make on-track action interesting, but also make tyre strategies extremely important. (for eg: the BMW Sauber car preferred the softer tyre as compared to the Force India car that ran better on the harder compound). Teams after having run both the tyre compounds during a race would need to choose to run at least one stint on tyres that would suit their car.
Heating: Bridgestone tyres reacted differently during the season especially when it came to their optimum temperatures. There were races where getting the tyres up to temperatures was extremely difficult and this was primarily due to the design of the F1 tyre from Bridgestone. (Ask Felipe Massa) Pirelli's tyre should be easier to bring upto temperature and then of course stay within the operating temperature range. While this is easier said than done, the attempt here is to ensure that teams and drivers don't complain of cold tyres as a reason for the lack of on-track action!
A fan's view usually is an ideal view and that's what I am focusing on. The points mentioned above are a no-brainer, but are difficult to implement and will have significant impact on the performances next year and of course on the image of Pirelli.
Do you think I have missed out any points that you would expect from Pirelli? Feel free to write them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Kunal Shah is a former racer and writes extensively on www.isport.in
Check the F1 2010 Driver and Constructor Championship Tables
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/hide comments
Show/hide comment form
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
