Pirelli could test its 2020 tires during free practice

In addition to its now traditional tests organized in the wake of several Grands Prix during the season, Pirelli could well use the free practice sessions of the final 2019 rounds to subject its 2020 tires to further tests.

In any case, this is what Mario Isola, responsible for the involvement of the Milanese manufacturer in F1, yesterday in Austria. “It’s possible because current regulations allow us to do so, specifies the Italian.

We can therefore provide two additional sets of prototype tires for evaluation on Friday. There was also a discussion to change the regulations slightly to understand if different tires could be used during the race weekend, not just in free practice.

Like I said, this is a completely new idea. It must be evaluated and discussed. The FIA ​​is expected to offer its point of view, but we are listening and we will continue our development tests for the coming weeks.

But if we have the opportunity, it's good to try next year's tires, starting this season. »

In search of the best range of use

Regarding 2020 development, Mario Isola also recalls Pirelli's priorities, at a time when the possibility of seeing the 2018 tires in action this year was discussed among the teams, without consensus being found.

“The main goal is to have a wider operating window for next year’s compounds, continues Isola. In Austria and after Silverstone, we will test new compounds, a new philosophy, new types of compounds in order to achieve this goal, in order to finalize the new construction for next year.

Today's cars are really getting faster and faster. this means that they put more energy into the tires and we have to deal with this increase and any modification to the construction is intended to make them more efficient.

Compounds should have a wider working range and no problems with aerodynamic settings, not offer blistering and overheating. Obviously the goal is always to reduce overheating as this is something tires don't like.

So I would say the two main goals are to keep that. Safety is always present because we cannot consider a tire that is not safe in F1. »