Breaking news
Formula 1
2020 F1 tyres fate could be decided by team vote
Formula 1 teams may be asked to vote on whether to abandon Pirelli's 2020 tyres after they are tested in Abu Dhabi next month.
Adam Cooper
Edited: Nov 14, 2019, 4:32 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
If seven out of 10 teams are still unhappy with the new spec tyres, Pirelli could be obliged to stick with its proven 2019 products for next season.
All teams were given two sets of the 2020 tyres to try in Friday practice in Austin.
Drivers were so frustrated by a lack of grip that teams questioned whether Pirelli had gone in the right direction and suggested that it might be better to stick with the 2019 construction.
Read Also:
- Formula 1 could abandon Pirelli's 2020 tyres
- Pirelli reveals new approach to deliver better F1 tyres
Pirelli's view was that the test was not representative, because of the cold conditions and the fact that teams did not adjust their set-ups.
The Italian company's F1 boss Mario Isola also pointed out that the 2020 tyres were expected to provide less grip, but would be more consistent.
Teams initially agreed to take a more detailed look at the data from Austin, but some were pushing for a quick decision to be made on sticking with the 2019 tyres, even before the Abu Dhabi test on December 3-4.
However, last week FIA technical chief Nikolas Tombazis contacted all the teams and it has been agreed that the two days of 2020 running in Abu Dhabi should go ahead.
Following a subsequent analysis of the data, a vote could be held the following week, if some teams still have doubts about the 2020 tyres.
In theory article 12.6.1 of the FIA technical regulations applies.
The rule states: "Tyre specifications will be determined by the tyre supplier, in agreement with the FIA, no later than 1 September of the previous season for the construction and 1 December for the range of compounds to be used during the Championship season.
"Once determined in this way, the specification of the tyres will not be changed without the agreement of at least 70% of the competing teams. Notwithstanding the above, the FIA may decide to change the specification during the Championship season for safety reasons without notice or delay."
Midfield teams in particular are frustrated because the September 1 deadline passed long ago.
That was put in place specifically because the construction and hence shape of the tyres has a huge impact on aero, and teams need that information as soon as possible. In this case, the 2020 tyres have a wider shoulder.
Amid the uncertainty, teams have thus been running their 2020 aero programmes with two possible tyre shapes in mind – the current and the new versions – and that is much harder for those with less resource.
Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, one of the few drivers to have tried the final 2020 tyres before Austin, admits that there are still some concerns.
"It's probably good to give them another go," he said. "On the other hand the targets that were set out to achieve probably we didn't achieve.
"I had a day in Barcelona, we had the cross-check in Austin. I think the feedback wasn't positive, and in the end we try to make a step forward. So we'll see what comes out."
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 has secret "plan" to beat Hamilton in 2020
Next article Mick Schumacher drives Ferrari F2002 at Fiorano, ahead of auction
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Adam Cooper
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Latest news
On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Brazilian GP
32 min
On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1
Raul Fernandez still compromised after Indonesia finger injury: “I’m not at 100%”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Raul Fernandez still compromised after Indonesia finger injury: “I’m not at 100%”
MotoGP can’t simply copy F1’s Drive to Survive success – Chase Carey
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
2 h
MotoGP can’t simply copy F1’s Drive to Survive success – Chase Carey
Marc Marquez's mind games with Jorge Martin: "If you're fast, you don't need team orders"
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
2 h
Marc Marquez's mind games with Jorge Martin: "If you're fast, you don't need team orders"
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