Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto feels that some Formula 1 teams will race at the Silverstone circuit with compromised set-ups as a result of the new weekend format and tyre construction.
Formula 1 is adopting a refreshed format for this weekend’s British Grand Prix, as Sprint Qualifying takes place on Saturday afternoon, which means that the qualifying session is moved for Friday. This also means that only two free practice session will take place in Silverstone, the second of which will is scheduled for Saturday afternoon; teams can work on set-ups during this session but must then revert to parc ferme for Sprint Qualifying.
Teams will also have use of Pirelli’s revised rear tyre construction after its introduction was approved by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council last week. Formula 1’s sole supplier brought a revised rear tyre construction for teams to trial during practice in Austria in order to improve the rubber’s integrity.
Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto said: “We should keep in mind we have a new tyre specification in Silverstone. Yes, we tested it in Austria but most of the teams need again to have some more experience on it. There will be very little time for it because we’ve got only the Friday morning before going into the quali. So I think going straight into the quali with a new tyre spec, anyway it is a new format, very little experience because then it will be parc ferme from Friday afternoon onwards, will be exciting. I think that [for] some, there may be some mess because the set up will not be optimised. I think it can be a great race weekend in that respect.” – the Ferrari boss explained.
Formula 1 is due to trial Sprint Qualifying again in Italy and, most likely, Austin.
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