Pirelli has proposed the introduction of a third type of tire in Formula 1 for use in rainy conditions. For many years, drivers have criticized Pirelli’s wet tires, and they did it again after last weekend’s Sprint Race at Spa Francorchamps, which was characterized by rain.
George Russell, for example, called it a “useless” tire, and several drivers pointed out that they only use it to follow the Safety Car, as required by the regulations. While wet tires reduce the risk of aquaplaning in the presence of large volumes of water on the track, they result in slower lap times. Therefore, drivers seize the first opportunity to switch to intermediate tires, which are less prone to aquaplaning.
WET AND VISIBILITY, PIRELLI’S SOLUTION
Pirelli boss Mario Isola stated that the Italian tyre manufacturer has already improved the performance of its wet tires, introduced in the 2023 Formula One season. However, he acknowledged that the performance gap between full wet and intermediate tires on demanding circuits, such as Spa Francorchamps, is too significant. “When we tested this wet tire without blankets, we found that the performance at Fiorano and Paul Ricard was 5 to 6 seconds faster than the old wet tire, and heating was not a problem,” explained the Motorsport Director of the Italian company.
“For this reason, I sent a request, and all the teams voted to introduce the new wet tire during the season, as they all had feedback from our test.” – he pointed out.
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However, Mario Isola also made it clear that the future development of their wet tires will depend on how Formula 1 intends to address the issue of visibility. Last month, the FIA started testing the so-called “anti-spray” on the car’s bodywork, but it is not yet ready to be introduced. If this device cannot be made to work, according to Mario Isola, the solution could be the introduction of a new class of tires positioned between intermediates and wet tires. “If the idea for the future is to remain with the current situation, i.e., if there is a lot of water on the track, a red flag or a Safety Car, and no racing due to visibility, then, in my opinion, the best solution is probably to develop an intermediate tire, call it ‘super-intermediate’ or ‘intermediate-plus,’ or any name you want to use, a tire that is better suited to wet conditions. This way, we can cover with a single product the acceptable limit for visibility until it crosses over with dry conditions. If the idea is to continue searching for a device capable of reducing spray and thus allowing racing in full wet conditions, we must keep the two products, stick with the intermediate we have now, and develop the new intermediate that works without blankets and improve the full wet tire. But if the full wet tire is only used behind the Safety Car, I agree with the drivers that it is currently a useless tire. Therefore, we must decide which direction to take for the future to develop the necessary product for Formula 1.” – the Pirelli boss concluded.
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