Formula 1’s official tyre supplier Pirelli has said it was surprised by the simulation data it received from teams ahead of the Italian Grand Prix weekend.
Pirelli uses the data to set its usage prescriptions for tyres ahead of the race weekend. Following the simulations it received from teams, Pirelli decided to increase the minimum front tyre pressures from 23.5 psi last year to 26 psi this year.It has only stipulated higher tyres pressures than this on one previous occasion this year. At the second race at Silverstone, one week after three drivers suffered late-race tyre failures, the minimum front tyre pressures were raised to 27 psi.
“A common question that I had in the last couple of days is why the prescriptions are so different compared to last year, especially the front pressure that is 2.5 psi higher than 2019,” said Pirelli’s head of motorsport and F1 Mario Isola.
“This is due to the simulations from the teams. Since the beginning of the year, we had simulations showing a much higher load on the front in general on all the circuits.
“But for Monza, [which] is usually a low-downforce circuit, this difference is quite high. And therefore we have to react with obviously a high front pressure.”
Pirelli will verify the change against the data teams acquired on Friday, but does not expect it will lead to a change in the minimum pressures.
“We are waiting for telemetry because when I got the data, I was surprised as well. We never had this increase in one year going through the same circuit.
“But I will not be surprised if we confirm the prescriptions because effectively they are loading the front a lot more than last year.”
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel said the “balloon pressures” required by Pirelli has been to the detriment of his car’s handling.
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Chaitanya
5th September 2020, 10:53
So the blame game continues. This ever increasing tyre pressure is quite ridiculous.
besset
5th September 2020, 11:43
obviously the teams shouldn’t have refused the tyres designed by pirelli for the expected forces this year
abananasplitz
5th September 2020, 19:08
never mind the reason WHY they rerejected them in the first place hm?
Alec Glen (@alec-glen)
5th September 2020, 12:15
I know that the cars are a lot different but I’d love to know the equivalent tyre pressures that teams were using in 2004.
Dragon (@dragon88)
5th September 2020, 13:38
I believe tyre pressures have essentially doubled in the last 10-15 years
SadF1fan
5th September 2020, 13:45
Just let them run the risk of blowing the tyres, when they want to try and do the impossible. It makes for a better show for the fans.
abananasplitz
5th September 2020, 19:09
+1
Tristan (@skipgamer)
6th September 2020, 1:54
But then the drivers complain about Pirelli making unraceable tyres. Pirelli literally can’t do anything right, no matter what they do people will complain from all sides.
An unenviable job for sure.