2020 tires at the heart of the debate

If we stick to the simple comparison between the 2019 and 2020 tires of Pirelli in Austin (Texas), the stables F1 do not seem to have convinced us about a clear improvement in the products offered by Pirelli.

The teams had the opportunity to test the C4 2020 tire, in a prototype version, last Friday in free practice in the United States, without the latter providing complete satisfaction.

“We agreed to take the time to analyze what happened here, commented on this subject Christian Horner, Team Principal of Red Bull Racing. The tires didn't mark a positive step here this weekend and I think it was unanimous, but we agreed to take a few days to study the data and try to understand why. »

“It’s a decision for Pirelli, F1, the FIA ​​and the teams on which tires to use next year, continues on his side Toto wolff, boss of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.

And it is up to us to then give the best feedback and then choose the most suitable tire. And we can still go back to the 2019 tire.”

A possibility which could indeed be discussed with Pirelli. The Italian manufacturer, however, wanted to temper the initial feedback on these rubbers. “The relevance of this data is obviously compromised by the fact that this is a 2020 tire on a 2019 car, which has not been optimized for this tire specification, admits Mario Isola, Pirelli competition manager.

But it at least allows the teams to gather some information for the final tests in Aobu Dhabi. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the United States Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Austin, in issue 2241 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version and on newsstands.