Ferrari: Thesis surrounding F1-75 tyre deg in 2022 a 'misconception'

Ferrari says reports claiming that its tyre degradation got worse over the course of Formula 1's 2022 season were a "misconception".

The Italian outfit's F1-75 established itself at the outset this year as the car to beat. The Scuderia's package was not only faster and more reliable than Red Bull's overweight RB18 in the opening rounds of 2022, it also enjoyed better tyre durability.

However, as Red Bull worked hard to lighten its car, it eventually turned the tables on its rival over the summer, with Ferrari then struggling with the durability of its tyres.

While the Scuderia's plight was real, senior performance engineer Jock Clear says the perception that degradation got worse was a "misconception", insisting the F1-75's tyre deg problem on race day was especially performance related.

"I think that's a misconception to be honest," Clear told Autosport.

"I think what we've struggled with is ultimate pace. We've got two drivers who got used to 12/13 races at the beginning of the year where they could fight toe-to-toe with Red Bull.

"Red Bull pulled out a little bit of a two-tenth gap, which meant that we weren't quite able to nail the pole positions. So we were playing a little bit of catch up.

"And, of course, then you're trying to race a car that's actually quicker than you, and that will just manifest itself in tyre deg I'm afraid. So we don't think that's a big issue for us."

Read also:

• Ferrari tells Haas: 'Next year's engine is a bomb!'

Clear reckons that on average, when Ferrari's F1-75 was a march for Red Bull's RB18 on race day, tyre degradation was actually better in the Italian outfit's camp.

"Over the course of the year, when the cars were balanced, our tyre deg was slightly better than Red Bulls,” he said.

"But now [at the end of the season] we're suffering from Charles going out there and just trying to keep up with Red Bull. And unfortunately, it's a slightly quicker car.

"You just thrash your tyres a little bit too much, trying to hang on to it. And of course, it's very difficult for Charles to say: ‘Okay, I can't keep up, I'm just gonna let him go.’

"He's a racing driver. That's not going to happen. So you're just using a bit too much juice and you pay for that in the long stints."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter