Pirelli, XPB Images, F1i
WIDER TYRES POISED TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE
Next year will see the introduction of wider Pirelli tyres, with dimensions increasing from 245mm to 305mm at the front and from 325mm to 405mm at the rear in order to generate more mechanical grip. These new compounds will also produce more drag and, combined with the wider tracks, result in lower – or similar – straight line speeds.
Incidentally, these ‘fatter’ tyres will also have an impact on how Formula One teams carry out their pit stop procedures.
“The crew will certainly have to focus their training in this area as the tyres will be heavier and we’ll also need different equipment ranging from racks to tyre blankets,” Renault team principal Frederic Vasseur said.
“We will need to conduct a lot of pit stop practice – as we always do – as the rear tyres are significantly wider as well as heavier.”
Thus, tyre blankets will need replacing for next year. Per the regulations, these electric heating devices “may only act upon the outer tyre surface”. The increase in heat results in a better grip for the car when it leaves the garage, as well as optimum inner tyre pressure.
Around 90 minutes are needed to reach the required temperatures and pressures, hence teams bringing some 40 tyre blankets to each race weekend.
