Pirelli: Jeddah will be a challenge for the drivers
Among the new regulations in force this season, 18-inch tires could be quite a challenge for the paddock.
In 2022, new rules were imposed on the teams. In the case of tires, the diameter increased from thirteen to eighteen inches, in order to ensure less overheating in the pack. Furthermore, this increase makes the single-seaters stiffer to drive, since the old thirteen-inch tires provided a role as shock absorbers.
This week, the drivers are heading to Saudi Arabia for the second Grand Prix of the season, just days after Charles Leclerc’s victory and Ferrari’s one-two finish. The twenty drivers will discover the renovated layout of Jeddah, with some widened corridors to improve visibility on this extremely fast circuit. Added to the calendar last year, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix proved to be very challenging in 2021, with a significant number of collisions and several restarts.
With the new tires, Pirelli boss Mario Isola expects a challenge for the drivers. « Jeddah represents a completely different challenge compared to the opening round in Bahrain due to the distinct characteristics of this circuit, whether in terms of layout or asphalt, Isola explained. « The teams are heading to Jeddah with no experience with these tires and cars on the track. Moreover, the conditions could be different from last time in Saudi Arabia with the race taking place at a different time of year and some modifications being made. ».
