Pirelli details F1 winter tyre testing schedule

Pirelli has detailed its testing schedule for this winter, with five F1 teams - including Ferrari and Mercedes - involved in the improvement of the supplier's wet tyre as well as in the development of it 2024 product.

Teams were critical this season of Pirelli's extreme weather  tyre which was put to the test at several races in 2022, and especially at last month's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

After that race, freshly crowned F1 world champion Max Verstappen said that Pirelli's wet tyres were "too slow" and unable to carry a lot of water.

The Red Bull charger even volunteered to help the company improve its rubber, but the supplier has finalized an off-season programme that will feature three other teams.

The Alfa Romeo outfit will undertake two days of wet weather testing at Paul Ricard on December 3/4, while Ferrari will be contribute to the programme at Fiorano on December 6/7.

Finally, AlphaTauri will also run the wet weather tyre at Paul Ricard, but after the new year on February 3/4.

"We know that we have to improve especially the wet tyres in terms of warm-up and performance," explained Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola.

"It is good to have some wet conditions in cold conditions as one target is to remove the blanket from the wet tyres in 2023 – I hope the conditions are not too cold as maybe in Fiorano in December we find the snow!"

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As for the development programme of Pirelli's 2024 dry tyre compounds, the company has enlisted the help of AlphaTauri at Portimao on December 14/15, of Mercedes at Paul Ricard on February 1/2 and also at Jerez on February 7/8 where the Brackley squad will be joined by Aston Martin at the two-day test.

The selection reflects the fact that not all teams responded to Pirelli's request for testing this winter.

"When we have an opportunity – and we are finalising the test calendar also for 2023 – we send an invitation to the teams to attend the test, then it is up to them whether they attend or not," explained Isola.

"These are the teams available for these winter sessions – I tried to accept all the available teams to avoid any unequal decisions, but that was the situation with the teams available, not just a selection that we want more one team or another.

"They cannot use the tests in February to develop the 2023 car, the FIA is sending an observer to each test to check parts and that the configuration of the car has been used at any of the 2022 races so they cannot develop new parts, wings, floors, or something like that."

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