Tyre preview – Pirelli to debut their new specification of slick tyres

For this weekend’s British Grand Prix, System One’s tyre producer will deliver three compounds from the extra strong finish of its 2023 tyre vary, however all eyes will probably be set on the introduction of the brand new specification of slick tyres.

After utilizing the softer compounds on the Canadian and the Austrian Grands Prix, groups could have more durable compounds at Silverstone: the C1 will function the P Zero White exhausting, C2 because the P Zero Yellow medium and C3 because the P Zero Pink comfortable in Nice Britain.

Pirelli’s selection was dictated by the excessive power masses that Silverstone places by way of the tyres with a number of the highest common cornering speeds of the yr being skilled at Silverstone and drivers subjected to lateral forces that may exceed 5g.

The observe that has hosted 57 grands prix, is likely one of the most demanding of the entire season, particularly for the front-left tyre that has to deal with heavy loadings all through eight completely different corners.

Pirelli has mandated extraordinarily excessive beginning pressures with 26.5 psi for the fronts and 23.0 psi for the rears whereas the camber limits are -2.75° for the entrance and -1.50° for the rears.

As for the technique, a two-stopper was typically the most well-liked technique final yr with the identical method anticipated for this weekend. In 2022, all three compounds have been seen through the race: together with on the beginning grid.

Nonetheless, the principle focus will probably be on the brand new specification of slick tyres that Pirelli introduces this weekend. The explanation for the change is that the opening races of the 2023 F1 season left the Milan-based tyre provider stunned because of the enhance in efficiency of the present vehicles after only one full season of improvement. Moreover, Pirelli can also be anticipating higher velocity and downforce in a while as improvement continues throughout the season.

The brand new specification will sport a sterner, harder tyre building with the compound varieties staying the identical. The brand new specification will see the introduction of supplies which were initially deliberate for 2024.

Groups and drivers have been in a position to have a primary style on the Spanish Grand Prix with every driver having acquired two additional units of new-specification tyres through the Friday’s observe periods.

Talking of the challenges posed by the brand new tyres, Pirelli’s Motorsport Director Mario Isola commented: “The British Grand Prix will mark the debut of a brand new slick tyre building, utilizing supplies which were introduced ahead from their anticipated introduction subsequent yr.

This transformation in specification was made crucial because of the elevated efficiency of the vehicles seen for the reason that begin of the season – each by way of outright velocity and loadings – in comparison with the pre-season simulation information equipped to Pirelli by the groups final winter, and the truth that this development is just set to extend because the championship goes on.

“We’ve labored very exhausting on simulation over the previous couple of years so as to not solely provide a product that meets the efficiency targets set by all of the stakeholders but additionally to have the power to anticipate any eventual points and react to them promptly.

The brand new specification provides the tyre additional resistance towards fatigue however doesn’t have an effect on any technical parameters or its behaviour on observe. All of the groups already had the chance to strive the brand new tyre building out on the Spanish Grand Prix, when two units have been put on the disposal of every driver in free observe.

“Their feedback have been according to our expectations, particularly when it got here to transparency by way of efficiency. The brand new specification additionally permits us to maintain entrance and rear tyre pressures largely unchanged in comparison with final yr, regardless of a big enhance in common masses.

This debut will come on a observe that’s historically one of many hardest on tyres; on our inner charts Silverstone is true on the prime by way of stress and lateral forces exerted on them: notably the front-left. The observe additionally takes so much out of the drivers, who’ve to deal with lateral accelerations in extra of 5g all through its speedy corners.

“The compound decisions – which, not like the construction, should not present process any change in specification – are equivalent to earlier years a minimum of in identify: C1 is the exhausting, C2 is the medium, and C3 is the comfortable. Nonetheless, the present C1 is actually a model new compound for this yr, which inserts in between the C2 and the C0: our new identify for the toughest compound within the 2022 vary,” Isola concluded.