18 replies to this topic

[TopDog85]

Pirelli has picked a softer mix of tyre compounds for two of the final three rounds of 2014.

Although it will continue to use the hardest tyres from its range for the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, softer compounds have been chosen for the races at the Circuit of the Americas and Yas Marina.

The soft tyre will be used for the United States Grand Prix for the first time, along with the medium tyre compound. The previous two races at the Circuit of the Americas were run on the medium and hard tyres.

For the season finale in Abi Dhabi Pirelli will bring the softest tyres in its range – the super-soft and soft compounds – which it describes as “the most suitable choice”.

Edited by TopDog85, 08 October 2014 - 09:40.

[BigBadBless]

Has this only just been revealed, or have they changed the decision from what was previously the choice? I've never really been sure on the whole tyre selection process...

[Lotus53B]

White and Yellow at abu dhabi last year - medium and soft, so they're softer than usual - more pit stops therefore probably, 2 stops seemed usual last year

[DrivenF1]

The tyres are a step harder this year compared to last year so they're effectively running the same tyre.

[Codeso87]

They should do this before. All season tyres were very hard.

 

In cars with less grip and downforce like 2014, they should run softer tyres that with cars like 2013. There is less energy, and also soft tyres give for less slides.

[Jovanotti]

[Imateria]

They should do this before. All season tyres were very hard.

 

In cars with less grip and downforce like 2014, they should run softer tyres that with cars like 2013. There is less energy, and also soft tyres give for less slides.

Only if you can generate the temperature in them to get that grip, which isn't easy with less downforce.

[RedRabbit]

 

Set up issues resolved again

Edited by RedRabbit, 08 October 2014 - 21:04.

[TomNokoe]

The Abu Dhabi one seems ever so convenient to tie in with the expectation of a "show" rather than a race.

[scheivlak]

The Abu Dhabi one seems ever so convenient to tie in with the expectation of a "show" rather than a race.

There's an argument to make that softer compounds are at least the best chance for a race. The 2010 race showed how easy it is to go for the entire distance on one slightly harder compound. True, it a was thriller - but not because there was a lot of passing involved.

 

I think in general as fans we want the softest possible choice if it's safe and not leading to a lot of pitstops. I don't think the latter will be the case. I think it's genuinely the best choice whatever is at stake.

[PlatenGlass]

Pirelli have too much power to make these arbitrary decisions on tyre choices that can affect race outcomes. The whole thing is a gimmick.

[Disgrace]

Aside from a tyre war and/or until tyres once again become about ultimate performance, there is no getting away from gimmicks. To be fair, as they're actually making the tyres they have the knowledge to make the most sensible allocations. Ideally, however, Pirelli should make all 20 allocations before the season begins and then stay silent until the following year. The backlash will be shift if it becomes all about them again.

[jonpollak]

Pirelli have too much power to make these arbitrary decisions on tyre choices that can affect race outcomes. The whole thing is a gimmick.

 

To add to the list of all the other gimmicks we've handily forgotten about.

[turssi]

It's Bernie and his entertainment workgroup at it again maximizing the action value of the 'sport'!

[SenorSjon]

Just bring three compounds to every track and let the teams choose and build their cars accordingly. No more both compounds during race and it is a lot fairer and we don't have the Pirelli lottery. Some teams prefer harder tires than others.

[HoldenRT]

Yes, I would enjoy that.  Let the teams tailor the tyres to the chassis and not the other way around.  Find out what team has the best car for every track, rather than the best car with the luck of whatever tyre allocation works best for them.  Each race the tyre allocations change.  It would remove some of the random/lottery aspect while still preserving (some of) the cost savings of a spec tyre.  And would also remove some of the excuses available for teams and drivers.    Use whichever tyre suits your preferred strategy and your car, and find out who has the fastest car.

 

Have never liked this "must use both tyres" in a race thing, it's very artificial.

[Kobasmashi]

I can't see why Soft and Supersoft would be a problem at Abu Dhabi, it's basically a street circuit. I'd be interested to see how the Soft handles Austin's sweeping curves though...

[PlatenGlass]

Aside from a tyre war and/or until tyres once again become about ultimate performance, there is no getting away from gimmicks. To be fair, as they're actually making the tyres they have the knowledge to make the most sensible allocations. Ideally, however, Pirelli should make all 20 allocations before the season begins and then stay silent until the following year. The backlash will be shift if it becomes all about them again.

While you have a single manufacturer, you can always argue that how they decide to make the tyres without the pressure of competition is arbitrary, but that doesn't make it a gimmick. As others have said, have all compounds (whether that's one, two, three) available at every race and let the teams decide what to use (no enforced usage of a second compound).

[wrcva]

Felipe Massa has called Formula 1 tire supplier Pirelli's decision to take its medium and hard compounds to the Brazilian Grand Prix "dangerous."   Williams F1 driver Massa feels a combination of new asphalt laid on the Interlagos circuit for this year's race and inclement November weather will make it difficult to use those compounds of tires effectively. The Brazilian urged Pirelli to change its allocation for the event.

 

"I have no idea why they choose medium and hard – it's completely unacceptable," Massa said. "It's a track that you can have rain, it's a track that can be cold, but you have the hard tire and it can be dangerous. I don't understand it.  They change the asphalt [for this year], and normally whatever track I go to where they put down new asphalt, it gets even easier on the tires. I have no idea why they chose these tires."  (x)