2017 F1 technical preview: the tyres

©XPB Images, Wri2, Red Bull, Mercedes

WHAT CONSEQUENCES ON OVERTAKING?

Low-degradation tyres should enable drivers to push more during races, as they will not have to be constantly looking after them. If removing the focus from tyre management is welcome news for the F1 community, pilots will still need to save fuel amid tight restrictions on flow and consumption.

As for the drivers whose tyre management prowess gave them the opportunity to shine in Pirelli’s low-degradation era – think Sergio Perez for instance –, they might have to adjust their racing style to remain competitive.

While races are likely to feature more open tyre strategies thanks to longer pit stop windows, a drop in the number of overtakes can be expected. Pirelli recently announced there were 866 manoeuvres in 2016, the highest number since its data was first available in 1983.

A LIMITED IMPACT?

However, it’s fair to admit that high-degradation tyres, which created a bigger performance difference between cars, boosted these overtaking figures. Several drivers bemoaned this state of affairs, with two-time world champion Fernando Alonso labeling overtaking moves as “artificial”.

So, will the racing improve with cars running on more durable tyres? Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery has already warned that the increase in downforce may have a negative impact on overtaking, with drivers unable to follow each other closely, nor use tyre degradation to get an edge.

“The true impact of overtaking will be down to the [relative] performance of the cars,” he told Motorsport.com. “If the performance of the cars is close together, then there might be chances – if they aren't then it will be a procession.”

With only eight days of winter testing scheduled before the 2017 season gets under way, F1 teams will have a very busy schedule at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in late February/early March.

Said McLaren-Honda technical director Tim Goss: “We are pretty close to knowing what we’re going to get from the tyres, but really understanding how they’ll sync with the new regulations will be quite a challenge. In pre-season testing, we will learn a lot”.