Pirelli wants to introduce a new rear tire at the British GP

The effects of Baku continue to be felt. After having introduced reinforced controls at Le Castellet (Var) following the spectacular tire failures suffered Lance stroll et Max Verstappen At the Azerbaijan GP, ​​Pirelli decided to have all the teams test a new rear tire specification.

The manufacturer will make this development available during free practice on Friday at the Austrian Grand Prix (July 2-4). Each driver will have two sets of tires to use on the opening day of the 2nd round organized at Red Bull Ring. Pirelli specifies that the new construction includes some elements that will be found in the 18-inch casings in 2022.

If the full-scale test is satisfactory, the new type of rear tire will be introduced in competition at the following round, namely the British Grand Prix (July 16-18). 

The Milanese firm justifies its decision by its current inability to monitor compliance with its operating instructions (stabilized driving pressure, load, speed, and camber) when the car is in motion. The recommendations transmitted by Pirelli before each meeting are in fact heard at a standstill. 

The new architecture complements the technical directive sent to the teams just before the French Grand Prix and which detailed the entry into force of reinforced controls, in particular after use of the tires and no longer just before. 

The investigation carried out by Pirelli and the FIA, in partnership with Aston Martin and Red Bull, after the Baku heists, revealed a “ a circumferential crack in the inner sidewall, which may be linked to the rolling conditions of the tire, despite compliance with the initial parameters (minimum pressure and maximum temperature of the covers) ».

Mario Isola, Pirelli competition manager, clarified a few days later that the two teams had respected the regulations but found themselves operating with lower tire pressures than expected on the damaged single-seaters of Stroll and Verstappen. 

Aston Martin and Red Bull had very little taste for Pirelli's convoluted explanations, to say the least, with both teams insisting that they had always respected the recommendations of the Milanese firm.