After the race weekend of the Japanese Grand Prix, Pirelli and Formula 1 stayed a few more days at the Suzuka circuit to carry out a specific testing session dedicated to the development of tires for the upcoming Formula One season.
The first day, conducted on Tuesday, was affected by rain, especially in the morning, although this provided an opportunity to test the wet tires, including intermediates that do not need tire warmers, and full wet tires, in order to reduce overheating phenomena. Only in the afternoon were the drivers involved in the testing able to try out the slick tires.
Conversely, the second day saw better weather with ideal conditions for track work, with air temperatures reaching 20°C and asphalt temperatures at 37°C. This allowed Pirelli to focus primarily on the development of new dry compounds and constructions for the next championship, continuing the program started last winter aimed at reducing overheating.
The test was conducted with the support of Racing Bulls and Sauber, just like on Tuesday: for the Swiss team, Valtteri Bottas took to the track once again, while for the Faenza-based team, Yuki Tsunoda drove, attracting a few hundred fans to the stands, thus confirming the great passion of the Japanese public for Formula 1.
The two drivers covered many kilometers: Valtteri Bottas completed 149 laps, clocking a time of 1:33.983, while Yuki Tsunoda made 115 passes, with a best time of 1:34.337. In total, along with the laps completed on Tuesday, Pirelli has carried out over 3000 kilometers of testing for 2025, trying out more than a dozen different specifications.
The Italian manufacturer is indeed finalizing the decision on a new construction and a family of compounds that allow for a significant reduction in overheating, one of the major goals it has set to improve its product for the next year.
A step required by the drivers, but it is clear that Pirelli must also keep pace with the aerodynamic load values of the teams. Although the cars for the next season will be a carry-over from this year’s, teams will naturally continue their aerodynamic development, albeit not at such an accelerated pace, so the tires must withstand greater stress. The Milanese manufacturer indeed receives updated simulations from the teams during the championship on the load levels the teams expect in the future, allowing Pirelli the opportunity to intervene on its products to make them more durable and reliable.
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“First of all, I want to thank Racing Bulls and Sauber and the three drivers for the support they have given us in this test: extending the presence on track for another two days in this early part of the season, when Formula 1 is practically always at work, is a significant commitment,” commented Mario Isola, Director of Pirelli Motorsport.
“As always happens in this type of test, the drivers worked in the dark, meaning without knowing what type of prototypes they were testing, alternating them with the current tires in order to have feedback free from any bias. With over three thousand kilometers covered at Suzuka, we have accumulated a lot of data on the development of the slicks but also some indications regarding the intermediate tires.”
“This year’s test program will continue in the coming months to be focused on finalizing a construction that ensures greater durability and on the complete renewal of the compound range with the goal of reducing overheating.”
The next appointments for Pirelli’s development testing are scheduled for May 28 and 29 at Le Castellet in France, and June 14 and 15 at Mugello in Italy. Mario Isola also confirmed that starting next September, work will begin with a view to 2026: initially, there was thought of switching to 16-inch tires to reduce weight, but in the end, it was decided to keep the current size. However, the sidewall and width will be reduced in order to still meet the demands of the FIA and Formula 1.
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