Pirelli brings its intermediate range to Austin
The Italian manufacturer will make its C2, C3, and C4 tires available to the drivers.
Spectacular but a real torture for tires. This weekend, the drivers return to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. This track, slightly over 5 kilometers long, is renowned for its first sector composed of fast curves and the triple right turn at the end of the track.
All these high-speed turns put significant strain on the tires with important loads. To withstand the demands of the Texan circuit, Pirelli has chosen to bring its C2, C3, and C4 ranges.
The tires 2023 in testing.
The Circuit of the Americas is a track on which the loads on the cars and tires – such as traction, braking, and lateral forces – are very balanced. It is a smooth track, appreciated by drivers, with asphalt that, although partially redone in 2020, has some areas with irregularities that should not be underestimated, explains the manufacturer.
Last year, the track was “smoothed” to smoothen the most uneven points that forced teams to increase ground clearance of the cars, thus penalizing aerodynamic load. In the early free practice sessions, there could therefore be significant changes in the track, and it will be crucial for teams to make the most of the data gathered in FP3, in order to define the best race strategy.
It is important to remember that the second free practice session of the Grand Prix will be extended by 30 minutes to test the slick tire prototypes for the 2023 season. These tests, initially scheduled in Japan, have been postponed due to rain.
