Pirelli

I don't know what to say. All I can add to this is that the Rolex Grand Am Series used Pirelli's exclusively the last several years and the racing was great, and tire failures in and of themselves were a relative non issue. Several 24 hour races at Daytona, and other than cut tires from running over debris or contact with another car I really don't remember any major tire failures the last several years. I don't remember marbles and graining being a big deal either (like it was this weekend at Homestead-Miami with the Continental tires that are being used now-one team had a their race done in by a huge marble about the size of a fist taking out their radiator!!!!) :eek:
I really don't remember that happening with Pirelli. Granted the loads aren't as great as with an F1 car either. I say give them a chance, let's see how it plays out before we hang 'em out to dry.

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Originally Posted by ioan

Sure, then you can tell us what was the idea behind implying it if not that of accusing them of doing it?
Just asking.

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I think the rest of my post explains that .

"In 2007 and 2008, the teams were so quick and pushing each other so fast at the front. They've now slowed down the cars a little, it's maybe a more even playing field." -Lewis Hamilton .

I think this plays right along with the McLaren tortoise gambit .
Lewis , right on cue , whines very specifically about how many laps he can go , giving the opposition some targets .
He states that driving differently , a little slower , can get you from only nine laps , to fifteen .

Given that his boss just said that nobody should be complaining about the tires , being they are what they asked for , it seems to me there's a tortoise in the race .

Breaking news :
Bernie Ecclestone , F1 supremo , recently chided for his idea regarding sprinklers being added at F1 tracks to "spice up" the action , has now come out with a new idea , prompted by a report from a recent Pitpass article .
At a news conference , poolside , he spoke to reporters while sipping on a cocktail , saying :
"You've seen the picture , haven't you ? We've now asked Pirelli for a tire that can make even larger super-duper marbles , if possible .
Adding chicanes has gotten expensive for the tracks , and I'm very sympathetic to thier plight , so this idea is for them .
The RRC , or Random Rubber Chicane , with be distributed mainly by the guys at the front of the pack , making that first lap even more interesting , especially for backmarkers . I can't wait ."

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Originally Posted by Bagwan

The RRC , or Random Rubber Chicane

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That was tried back in '94.........

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Originally Posted by SGWilko

That was tried back in '94.........

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Thats right they installed one at Barcelona didn't they, and Canada and Belgium.

They were terrible, but it was understandable after the events of that year at Imola and Monaco.

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Originally Posted by CLF66

we're yet to see the impact of the Pirelli tyres in race conditions - when theres a direct comparison (i.e. after Australia) we'll have a much better idea.

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Exactly. The tires are being tested in winter temperatures so their current performance will not be indicative of their performance in warmer temperatures. They will wear less and therefore last longer in the races. This time last year teams were predicting two or three pitstops at each race because thats how long the bridgestones lasted during winter testing too. While the Pirellis won't last as long as the Bridgestones by design I don't think we'll have a disaster either.

From what I've read from more knowledgeable sources than Pitpass, what we're seeing in testing is a combination of cold weather and Pirillis very stiff construction leading to serious degredation. What none of you has mentioned so far is that the tyres arent being run in the conditions they were designed for. it should also be pointed out that Pirelli dont have data of their own to work with so they've had to go conservative on the construction to start with, and they do maintain the right to make changes mid season if it proves that they've gone to far. Everything else in this thread is speculation and hot air.

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Originally Posted by slorydn1

I don't know what to say. All I can add to this is that the Rolex Grand Am Series used Pirelli's exclusively the last several years and the racing was great, and tire failures in and of themselves were a relative non issue. Several 24 hour races at Daytona, and other than cut tires from running over debris or contact with another car I really don't remember any major tire failures the last several years. I don't remember marbles and graining being a big deal either (like it was this weekend at Homestead-Miami with the Continental tires that are being used now-one team had a their race done in by a huge marble about the size of a fist taking out their radiator!!!!) :eek:
I really don't remember that happening with Pirelli. Granted the loads aren't as great as with an F1 car either. I say give them a chance, let's see how it plays out before we hang 'em out to dry.

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I agree. Besides the fact that Pirelli has stated several times that the tire the came up with is exactly what the FIA have requested. The F1 show will be enhanced by the different teams constantly pitting in to get new set of tires.

An other thing Pirelli has said, and I dont know if I should beleive it, is that with higher Summer temperatures the tires will last much longer than they are right now. So, we only have to wait and see.

Final point. With the constant FIA interest in making F1 more affordable, we are supposed to get a better show while the F1 cars are slowing down (as LH said today). To make the show more interesting, besides the artificial rain I would add some fires in a couple of corners. Moving obstacles on the track not to mention spears thrown at the cars.

Kidding aside, I say let the big constructors have 3 cars per team so that money will not be an issue anymore so that we can see again the fastest car winning not the one who made their tires last longer.

It's going to be a problem for Pirelli as they were given a specification by the FIA as to how the tyres will be, but all year they are going to get tonnes of flak about their tyres running out too quickly. Or them blamed for <favourite driver> losing the race!

The FIA have annouced that at some events, teams will be provided with "evaluation tyres" for Friday practice, to allow Pirelli some bonus testing:

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At certain events, one additional specification of dry weather tyre may be made available to all teams for evaluation purposes. Teams will be informed about such an additional specification at least one week before the start of the relevant event. Two sets of these tyres will be allocated to each driver for use during P1 and P2, and any such tyres must be returned to the tyre supplier before the start of P3.

One additional set of ‘prime’ specification tyres may be made available to all drivers. Teams will be informed about such an additional set at least one week before the start of the relevant event. In this instance, the additional set will be available for use during P1 and P2. One set of ‘prime’ tyres must then be returned to the tyre supplier after P1, and two further sets of ‘prime’ and one set of ‘option’ specification tyres returned before the start of P3.

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Fairy nuff. Makes Fridays a bit more interesting :)