Author: Barkha Roy
In the current Formula 1 season, Pirelli has made a significant change by introducing a revised and more robust tire construction. The change was motivated by the need to deal with increased levels of downforce without increasing minimum pressures. Originally planned to be implemented at the end of the season, the new construction was accelerated and debuted at the British Grand Prix to address safety concerns arising from the high-speed cornering demands of the current generation of cars.
Two-time champion Fernando Alonso firmly believes that the introduction of the new Pirelli tires has had a notable impact on the team’s performance. Although Alonso’s team, which was only a tenth behind McLaren, acknowledged the need for improvements, he expressed his conviction that some of them, especially Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin, faced greater difficulties with the construction of the new tires.
During the qualifying session for the Hungarian Grand Prix, the effects of the updated tires were once again evident. Max Verstappen missed out on pole position, while Alonso, who qualified in eighth position, noted the difficulties of Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin. He noticed that some teams seemed to be more comfortable with the new tires, while others faced challenges.
Race day at the Hungaroring was challenging for Red Bull and Aston Martin, who failed to make a significant impact on their rivals. Alonso managed to secure ninth place, while his teammate, Lance Stroll, finished in tenth position.
Alonso stressed the importance of understanding the construction of the new tire in order to achieve success. He emphasized the need for teams to analyze the performance of their cars compared to the start of the season, assess the updates they have implemented and optimize their approach to fully exploit the potential of the revised Pirelli tires.
As the 2024 Formula 1 season progresses, teams are expected to continue adapting and adjusting their setups to effectively deal with the challenges posed by the new Pirelli tires. Changing tires has added an intriguing dimension to the competition, and it remains to be seen how the teams will strategize and improve their performance to maintain a competitive edge on the track.