Breaking news
Formula 1
Pirelli explains new 2016 tyre choice plans
Pirelli has explained how it expects a new system to allow teams more tyre choice freedom in 2016 will work – as teams close in on finalising the regulations.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Oct 31, 2015, 4:31 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
F1's tyre supplier is eager to deliver more variability to the races next year, and the concept of offering teams more scope to pick tyres that better suits their cars first emerged in the middle of this year.
Since then, discussions have taken place with teams and the FIA to try to finalise new rules which will be incorporated in a revised Article 24 of the Sporting Regulations.
Further progress was made in a meeting at the Mexican Grand Prix between Pirelli and team managers.
Three choices
Rather than giving teams total free reign, Pirelli's current idea is to select three compounds for each grand prix for next year – and teams are likely to then be left free to select how many of each type of tyre they want.
It means teams could choose to be more aggressive by selecting the softer tyres, or adopt a split strategy of choosing the very softest tyres and the hardest one.
Teams could also choose different tyre sets for different drivers depending on what suits them best.
Pirelli racing manager Mario Isola said: “The idea is that we define the three compounds and then they can choose from that their 13 sets. It is not complete freedom, but we need to avoid free choices.
“They can choose three different compounds if they want, but they are obliged to run more than one in the race.”
Lead time
One complication that has emerged with giving teams the option to pick tyres is the long lead time it may take for Pirelli to prepare them.
Motorsport.com has learned that a time frame of 14 weeks for flyway races and eight weeks for European events has been suggested, but this could be made shorter.
In theory, that means teams could have to pick tyres for the opening races of 2016 before their new cars have tested for the first time.
When asked if that would be too complicated, Isola said: “As long as it is the same for everybody, I don't think so.
“It is a complication because they need to decide in advance, but it is clear we cannot produce the tyre when we arrive on track.
“We can agree with them deadlines for each race to have the time, deliver the tyres and I think it is a good change for the show, because it introduces some variability. In my opinion it is a good step.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Bottas reveals rear-wing stall caused massive scare
Next article Standard engine “not in the DNA of F1” – Haas
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
George Russell reveals he lost sleep over his own driving, not the F1 championship
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
31 min
George Russell reveals he lost sleep over his own driving, not the F1 championship
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - Ferrari leads FP1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
1 h
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - Ferrari leads FP1
Max Papis announces departure as IndyCar chief steward
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 1 h
Max Papis announces departure as IndyCar chief steward
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | Asia Race 2: Victory for Li/Sherlock, but Tregurtha crowned champion over Sceats/Wisniewski
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
2 h
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | Asia Race 2: Victory for Li/Sherlock, but Tregurtha crowned champion over Sceats/Wisniewski
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe