Scuderia Ferrari are expecting high tyre wear for the next round of the 2022 Formula One season, the Japanese Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend at the Suzuka Circuit.
Suzuka, which returns on the Formula 1 calendar after three years of absence due to the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, is a special and unique race track, the only circuit in a figure-of-eight layout. As a result, tyre degradations is distributed more evenly across both sides of the Formula 1 car.
The Japanese track is also made up of several long corners that contribute to high tyre wear, while weather is often a key factor here, with rain usually affecting the Suzuka weekend at a certain point. This will make the next round of the season a very difficult weekend in terms of tyre management, as pointed out by Ferrari’s Head of Tyre Science, Carlos Galbally, in the Maranello team’s preview for Japan:
“It’s a very high energy track, characterised by its high speed sections with frequent changes of direction. It is an anomaly in the season in terms of left-to-right energy distribution, being the most symmetric track of the year (with as much energy turning left as you have turning right). Due to the high energy content, Pirelli brings the three hardest compounds available (C1/C2/C3), which is actually the least common combination, only used at five races, with Japan being the last of them. Tyre wear rates are on the high side, because of the long combined corners, while the track abrasion level is typically on the medium to high side. The combination of all these factors, along with the unpredictable weather, makes Suzuka an intense test for every aspect of tyre management.” – the Ferrari Head of Tyre Science explained.
Taking into consideration the high levels of degradations, Carlos Galbally confirmed that the Maranello team will focus mainly on the second free practice session at the Suzuka circuit with the goal of collecting as much data and information as possible to prepare for Sunday’s race effectively.
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“As with other high energy tracks, such as Spain, Silverstone or Holland, it will be important to get the right balance between warm-up over one lap and avoiding overstressing the tyres on the long runs, which always requires some compromises between qualifying and the race. The FP2 long runs will also be of critical importance, as they provide the best chance to collect data needed for tyre race management. This helps us give indications to the drivers and always plays a critical role in deciding on the best target strategy. On this topic, the reduced amount of free practice time introduced this year poses some challenges, which we are overcoming through ever more accurate pre-event simulation preparation.” – Ferrari’s Head of Tyre Science, Carlos Galbally concluded, ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit.
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