Grosjean not a fan of changing rules on covers

The regulatory change was adopted ahead of the 2019 season, with the front covers retaining their usual maximum temperature of 100°C.

Pirelli explains that the decision is motivated by a desire to improve the action of the rubbers while reducing the graining phenomenon, particularly when the ambient temperature is low. 

« We tested the possibility of lowering temperatures to 80°C both front and rear during the Abu Dhabi tests last year, explained Mario Isola, motorsport manager at Pirelli. But in these conditions, the pressure of the rubbers in action is much more in line with the levels recorded at the start. 

After speaking with the teams, we realized that they were afraid of having problems with warming up the front tires. These erasers are a little more complex and require more energy.  

No one seemed worried about the rear tires. Last year we noticed that the installation laps were very slow so as not to heat the rear casings too much. Some stables went so far as to remove the blankets earlier to cool the tires so we decided to lower their temperature to 80°C ».

The first day of winter testing saw several drivers spin during installation laps, including Romain Grosjean. The pilot Haas believes that the new situation regarding electric blankets has something to do with it. 

« I'm going to get my knuckles slapped again but I don't understand why we're doing this, he blurted out. We do everything to move towards safety and on Monday morning there are three or four of us doing spins on the exit lap: Hag, Räikkönen, Hulkenberg, and me. 

When the track is 4°C, it doesn't work. It's very low, too low. I think this could be a problem in certain situations. Pirelli tires are already complicated to heat up so if we start from 80°C and there is a Safety Car from the start, we will find ourselves at 50°C”. 

His boss, Günther Steiner, was less alarmist by tempering the French pilot's comments. 

« He was surprised but it's like everything F1, we will eventually get used to it by finding a way around the problem, said the Italian manager. We will be unhappy during the tests, then in one or two Grands Prix and we will get used to it. If Pirelli thinks it's the right thing to do, it's up to us to adapt ».

As a reminder, electric blankets will be banned from 2021 at the same time as the transition to 18-inch rims.