Ferrari working on Pirelli's 2024 intermediate wet tires with "reduced activation time"

Ferrari is contributing to the development of Pirelli’s products this week. The Maranello team is providing the necessary data to continue developing the new tire compounds that will debut next season. Meanwhile, Formula 1 is launching a plan to change the narrative of the sport when adverse weather conditions prevail. It seemed straightforward at the beginning, but unfortunately, once again, the theoretical ideas from the International Federation’s technical department have not found the right solutions.

The target is challenging: to allow for the normal (or nearly normal) conduct of a race when heavy rain makes it difficult for the wing cars of the latest generation to race on the track. Here comes the first hurdle not considered during the study phase. The current single-seaters are quite susceptible to any external factors, which is why the Wet Weather Package (WWP) project, launched with great fanfare by Nikolas Tombazis, is still in a stalemate phase after almost a year.

From what has been reported to our editorial team, the famous “splash guards” are not giving the FIA peaceful nights. The planned reduction of about 50% of the spray raised by the cars remains an admirable goal. On the other hand, it would allow the single-seaters to take to the track more or less freely in all sessions. If achieved, this scenario would help alleviate the rightful complaints of paying spectators who are often forced to sit in the stands watching virtually nothing.

Ferrari tests Pirelli’s 2024 wet tires at Fiorano
The FIA is considering various solutions to solve this difficult equation. Our sources have informed us that these particular appendages will be tested again before the conclusion of the current championship, provided that a “remedy” is found to make this measure effective. The focus is on quantifying the volume of water droplets within the car’s airflow, as the behavior of fluids in such a context seems to be already known.

The data collected, which will be compared with the powerful computers available, goes through Pirelli. The Italian company must also create a product capable of managing the tedious aquaplaning effect, with the clear aim of eliminating any potentially dangerous scenarios that, if not properly addressed, could lead to accidents and seriously jeopardize the safety of the drivers.

Returning to the beginning, as we mentioned, it’s now the turn of the Prancing Horse to conduct experiments at the Fiorano circuit, taking place this week. This work will be added to the tests carried out by AlphaTauri and McLaren in Monza. However, unlike the other mentioned teams, Scuderia Ferrari is responsible for testing wet tires. This is despite the fact that the SF-23 number 55 completed a few laps with slick tires on Tuesday morning.

The reason is simple: Carlos, at the wheel of the red car, collected the necessary information for the crossover calculation, where the intermediate compound gives way to the dry one. In these conditions, the red car would have taken the opportunity to carry out a couple of constant-speed aerodynamic tests. That’s the inside scoop. The work will continue tomorrow when Charles Leclerc will be behind the wheel of the Ferrari.

In the final analysis, another issue that remains somewhat complicated for now is having an intermediate tire that does not require an activation time. It’s a significant challenge, but the Pirelli-FIA partnership is confident in resolving things in time to make these desires a reality and, consequently, further enhance Formula One’s quest for approval and entertainment.