Pirelli not worried about load tyres will experience at Zandvoort. Pirelli have no fears over Zandvoort’s 19′ banking.

As Formula 1 get ready to tackle Zandvoort’s banked turns, corners, Pirelli Head of F1 & Car Racing Mario Isola confirmed that the Italian tyre manufacturier is not worried regarding the load the tyres will experience at this unique track. The 2021 Formula 1 championship marks the return of the sport in the Netherlands, racing at the Zandvoort circuit that provides a special and a different challenge for drivers.

Considered an old school track, Zandvoort includes two banked corners, one of which is 19′. It has brought back memories of the 2005 Indianapolis Grand Prix when Michelin’s compounds did not prove able to deal with the banked corner, even though that was just a 9′ banking.

It led to only six cars (the teams which were using Bridgestone tyres) being able to start the race, making it one of the most controversial moments in Formula 1. Taking into consideration the event from 16 years ago, there are some concerns about how Pirelli’s tyres will deal with the 19′ banking at Zandvoort. Pirelli boss Mario Isola is confident that as long as the teams adhere to the prescriptions for the starting pressures – 22psi front and 21.5psi rear – the tyres will not encounter any issues:

“The prescriptions are in line with the other high-severity circuits in terms of camber and starting pressure. It’s fair to say with the new front construction that we introduced at the beginning of the year and the new rear construction that we have used since Silverstone, we have a more robust tyre and we adapted the prescriptions considering that. From simulations, it’s clear the tyres in the banking are loaded more compared to a flag corner. But in terms of absolute numbers, there are other circuits with such a level of severity. Considering the whole lap, Silverstone is more severe, and so is Spa. There are only two corners with banking – let’s say one-and-a-half because one is very short. It affects the prescription but does not revolutionise it.” – he explained.

Former Scuderia Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, currently driving for Alpine, predicted a tough learning curve as he does not feel Formula 1 cars are designed for banking: “It’s going to be interesting to see the cars running on that banking. Formula 1 cars are not made for this inclination on the corner in terms of floor touching or front wing or whatever. There are things we will learn for the first time.” – he concluded.