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Pirelli has acknowledged that the speed advancements being achieved by Formula 1 teams this season have surpassed their expectations, prompting increased scrutiny on the associated loads placed on the tyres.
As teams push the limits with their 2024 cars, recent grand prix events have underscored the magnitude of the performance gains. One notable instance came from the practice sessions in Abu Dhabi, where Lando Norris clocked a remarkable fastest time of 1m23.517s, placing him just milliseconds behind Max Verstappen’s pole time from the previous year, which stood at 1m23.455s.
Notably, there has been a clear reduction in lap times compared to last year. Charles Leclerc set a fastest time of 1m24.809s in FP2 back in 2023, indicating a substantial year-on-year speed increase of 1.7 seconds in the FP1 sessions alone.
According to Simone Berra, Pirelli’s F1 chief engineer, the current cars have reached unprecedented levels of speed, resulting in tyre loads that exceed prior predictions. He stated, “The last races have shown an increase beyond our expectations, particularly from two or three teams.” This performance surge has not only surprised Pirelli but also challenged the team’s assumptions about the limits of vehicle performance.
Berra continued, “Teams continue to evolve their cars in ways we didn’t anticipate; it was believed that there would be a performance ceiling at some point.” He specifically noted the remarkable improvements from teams like Mercedes, demonstrating the dynamic nature of competition in the sport.
The table below illustrates the stark contrast between the pole position times of 2023 and 2024, highlighting the significant lap time evolution:
Race
2023 Pole Time
2024 Pole Time
Bahrain
1m29.708
1m29.179
Saudi Arabia
1m28.265
1m27.472
Australia
1m16.732
1m15.915
Azerbaijan
1m40.203
1m41.365
Miami
1m26.841
1m27.241
Monaco
1m11.365
1m10.270
Spain
1m12.272
1m11.383
Canada
1m25.858*
1m12.000
Austria
1m04.391
1m04.314
Great Britain
1m26.720
1m25.819
Hungary
1m16.609
1m15.227
Belgium
1m46.988
1m53.574*
Netherlands
1m10.567
1m09.673
Italy
1m20.294
1m19.327
Singapore
1m30.984
1m29.525
Japan
1m28.877
1m28.197
USA
1m34.723
1m32.330
Mexico
1m17.166
1m15.946
Brazil
1m10.727
1m23.405*
Las Vegas
1m32.726
1m32.312
Qatar
1m23.778
1m20.575
* wet qualifying
Despite these notable advancements, Berra expressed caution about how these gains will translate into the next season. “We are currently analyzing team simulations received at the end of November,” he explained, indicating a need for further data analysis to discern the potential performance trajectory for next year.
Concern Over Rising Loads
Pirelli remains vigilant regarding the increasing loads on tyres, as such demands can lead to tyre failures. In past instances, the company has altered tyre construction to enhance durability—such as during the 2023 British Grand Prix. However, for the upcoming season, a radical change is deemed unlikely as focus shifts to preparing for the 2026 specifications.
Berra noted, “We do not intend to modify construction during the season, as we believe this approach is unfair. We aim to maintain a consistent specification throughout the year.” He reiterated that while the 2023 adjustments significantly improved tyre integrity, he does not foresee similar interventions in the near future.
Pirelli’s possible course of action in response to the increased loads might involve adjusting tyre pressures selectively throughout the season. “We would prefer to avoid excessive pressure increases as that can lead to overheating and graining,” Berra remarked, highlighting the delicate balance Pirelli seeks to maintain for optimal tyre performance.
Source
www.motorsport.com