Pirelli has proposed to develop a new intermediate tire
The director of Pirelli's competition, Mario Isola, believes that the current rain tire is "useless". Drivers are very rarely using it, unlike the intermediate tires. He is therefore proposing to introduce a new compound.
We saw very little of them. In Belgium, during the sprint race, heavy rain poured down. The start was delayed while the water drained from the track. The drivers then set off behind the safety car, on wet tires. And as soon as the safety car released the pack, everyone went to put on intermediate tires.
The director of Pirelli’s racing department, Mario Isola, understood the drivers’ choice and sided with them. « If the wet tire is only used behind the safety car, I agree with the drivers that currently it is an unnecessary tire. Therefore, we need to decide which direction we want to take for the future in order to develop the product that Formula 1 needs », justifies the Italian.
Keep both compounds under one condition
The Pirelli manager still wants to qualify his statements. Currently, Formula 1 is working on a device to reduce water splashes in order to race in difficult conditions. If this device were to be ready, Mario Isola believes that both types of rain tires should be kept.
In another sense, the Italian proposes to introduce a new compound next year. A compromise between the two current tires. This one would be used when water splashes are too important and when the track is almost dry.
Launching these new tires would also help reduce the carbon footprint. This would mean fewer tires to produce each week and also transport.
