Pirelli: 2021 changes mean we must alter approach with tyres

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Pirelli will need to address a current complaint team have with the 2019 tyres ahead of the changes coming for 2021.

This season has seen the Italian supplier come under pressure from some teams as they struggle to adapt to the thinner-treaded design that was introduced full-time.

In Canada, Red Bull even suggested there was some kind of collusion between Mercedes and Pirelli, with the dominant world champions really the only outfit to conquer the current compounds.

Switching back to last year's tyres was even an idea brought up, although motorsport sport Mario Isola confirmed no such request had been made.

"Obviously I take any comments coming from the teams on board," he noted speaking to Auto Bild.

The main issue teams have had is the sensitivity of the tyres to small fluctuations in temperature when it comes to providing maximum grip.

"Whether the window is narrower or not, they are asking for a wider working range," Isola continued. "What is clear is that we have to work in the future to have a wider working range.

"Obviously we are designing new tyres for 2020 and also for 2021, considering the plan to remove blankets. So we are changing the approach in how we design the compounds.

"We will evaluate if we want to introduce something new for 2020 to test, also for 2021.”

As part of the new regulations, Pirelli will also produce 18-inch rims compared to the current 13-inch.

This will result in a very different tyre challenge as the profile will be much lower meaning the rubber is likely to heat up much faster, particularly on tracks where loads are higher.

The supplier will get some early experience though, as F2 will switch to these tyres from next year.

 

         

 

 

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