Pirelli 2013

[ESPImperium]

I understand that Pirelli used 35 different constructions on 4 to 12 lap stints doing 70 laps every day of the test. Some were used in Quali lap tests and some used on full quali pace runs over 12 laps.

Pirelli used 30 sets of Hard, Medium and Softs with not many Super Soft as the compounds wont change much next year in order to give continuity if Pirelli stay. The compounds are fine, however they only need construction changes in order to operate at a slightly lower temp and give better longevity and a 3 to 5 second lap time drop off over a 15 to 20 lap stint, not the 5 to 7 present drop off on average.

It will play into some teams hands yes, but it will ensure that most races will be a 2 or 3 stopper with some 1 stopper, but most of the cars will be able to run at 95% of their pace for 90% of a stint, there will be some tyre management but there will be a lot less emphasis on it. And in Quali it will mean that drivers can go for a second hot lap if needed, and also will mean that drivers will have to work harder on warm up of the tyres as most will be colder in the first half of each hot lap.

Thats most of the things that ive been hearing coming out of this test, but it may not be 100% accurate or trustworthy.

One thing id like to see personally tire warmers banned, let the drivers start on cold tires and let them do the warm up, lets see who can really handle a F1 car. It would also give the teams a lot of strategy variation.

[gandharva]

I think this stuff in general deserves a separate topic because it doesn't fit well into team or car threads and it'll be in the news quite often during the next weeks.

Here's a very interesting interview and I agree with almost all points:
Why a former F1 mechanic believes Mercedes’ secret test “was a huge advantage”

Mercedes are known to have covered 1,000km in the test – more than three Grand Prix distances. “They’ll have had an enormous advantage in terms of proving reliability on any parts,” he added.

“From Mercedes’ point of view however it’s come about, whether they think they had permission or they’re just trying to pull a bit of a fast one I’m not sure, but the fact that they used both of their current race drivers – particularly the fact that they used both of them – is a big tell for me that they had an awful lot to gain from this.”

[strad]

I think Mr E. thinks this is a fine diversion from the crappy racing.

[Cam]

I’m not sure all these quotes from Hembrey help. All it shows is that people are fallible, circumstances change over time, and quotes can be taken out of context. Humbrey simply messed up on the comms and has spent the last 10 days trying to backtrack. He’s trying to post rationalise an awkward situation that he would have avoided in hindsight. That’s just clumsy rather than malicious.

Anyway, leave the personality out of it and lets focus on what actually happened in 2013.

Sorry Richard, I disagree. If it was a Marshall, volunteering their time for the love of the sport - I would agree with you, but this is a company who's in it, not for the love of F1, but for branding and money - a huge difference and they should absolutely be questioned and held accountable for their actions. I see many people saying "they were told to do it", "they can't test", "it's not their fault" - but no one is actually grilling them to see if it is their fault, if they are actually inept, if they have test capabilities but can't react to them appropriately. There are always two sides to every coin.

The only way to see performance - just like drivers - is through a history of statistics over a period of time. You'll see patterns, trends, spikes, dips - it's these that tell the wider story and it's through this that we hold to Pirelli as the yardstick for performance.

Pirelli in 2013 is a company no different to 2010. Same players, same tech, same mission statement, same ethos - so it is relevant to hold their statements and beliefs from that time, to now. If we had seen the company evolve it's business practices and communication in that same time - okay, you have a point - but that has not occurred. Big companies don't change easily.

I think it was JT who questioned their ability to make good rubber (apologies if it wasn't you JT) - and he has a point that no one has really tested. Pirelli may actually be completely inept to supply F1 tyres. And not just from a rubber aspect, but holistic, as a package. Whether they are or not is to be decided - and it's through a balance of evidence, in context, we can all make a rational decision.

[Huntresa]

Paul Hembery made a statement in Monaco where he implied they used 32 different tyres, but a latter press release by Pirelli claims 12 different compounds.

I think that those were just 32 sets of tyres tested over the 1000km, and those 32 tyres were divided over 12 different compounds.

Like Richard Leeds said (all hail, wise one!), they messed up their communication to the public.

He said 32 different specifications, compounds are just the rubber.

[Richard]

....

I agree, Hembery has been inconsistent. For example giving the impression in Monaco that there were 32 specs at the Merc test, but then stating in the press conference that there were 12 structures with the same compound.

[lebesset]

....

I agree, Hembery has been inconsistent. For example giving the impression in Monaco that there were 32 specs at the Merc test, but then stating in the press conference that there were 12 structures with the same compound.

am not sure that hembery is being 'economical with the truth ' as is the norm in F1 ; if I understand correctly he has never been employed by pirelli in a technical role and , although he tries to give the impression of been au fait with fine details of what is happening he isn't in control ... so now he is hoist by his own petard
as anyone who has worked for a major international company will tell you , in times like this you don't need a kevlar belt but kevlar body armour to avoid the stab in the back , pirelli have a major PR disaster on their hands just like michelin did in the day , and who knows what version of the truth hembery was given , and by whom

[Cam]

who knows what version of the truth hembery was given , and by whom

Paul Hembrey is the Motorsport Director of Pirelli. Ignorance is not an excuse that's going to fly unfortunately.

[FW17]

Am not sure if Michelin were in such a bad spot as Pirelli are.

2002 was a bad year for Michelin as their tyres were not good enough

2003 they were called cheats, but the F1 fan base was split, with the Ferrari FIA bias

2005 dominant season bar the USGP, was a disaster in some ways but fans were more concentrated on bashing FIA and Ferrari for the situation.

End of the day nobody questioned Michelin ability to produce quality products as being asked of Pirelli now. The fan base split on Pirelli is not very evident, and overall the company as a whole is not being projected in the best light.

Current situation with Pirellis is like asking a marathon runner to manage his shoes.

[lebesset]

who knows what version of the truth hembery was given , and by whom

Paul Hembrey is the Motorsport Director of Pirelli. Ignorance is not an excuse that's going to fly unfortunately.

because you have a fancy title doesn't mean you make the decisions

[lotus7]

Looks like Merc had a good reason for the test

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107849

[SectorOne]

ok now it´s starting to get a little bit ridiculous i think.

[diffuser]

Am not sure if Michelin were in such a bad spot as Pirelli are.

2002 was a bad year for Michelin as their tyres were not good enough

2003 they were called cheats, but the F1 fan base was split, with the Ferrari FIA bias

2005 dominant season bar the USGP, was a disaster in some ways but fans were more concentrated on bashing FIA and Ferrari for the situation.

End of the day nobody questioned Michelin ability to produce quality products as being asked of Pirelli now. The fan base split on Pirelli is not very evident, and overall the company as a whole is not being projected in the best light.

Current situation with Pirellis is like asking a marathon runner to manage his shoes.

I'd think it's more like 1 runner blaming his shoes when another runner runs past him. It's amazing they can manage the Fuel! How is it they don't run out of Fuel ? Cause they Manage it. They go into to fuel saving mode which slows them down. Why don't they carry enough fuel to go full out for the whole race? Not this year, the previous years? Cause they never have to go full out for the whole race. Why don't they complain about the 17K rev limit ? The cars would go faster If they set it back to 21k !!! Formula 1 Rules are there for Multiple reasons. 1 of them is to slow cars down and create artificial engineering challenges instead human physical limitations. In my opinion the 2013 tires are no different than Double diffuser ban, 17k rev limiter, engine restrictions, 4 gearboxes per season, narrower rear wings, etc etc etc.It is the FORMULA in "FORMULA 1". If you can't make it work, you're just slower. Plane and simple.

[SectorOne]

I'd think it's more like 1 runner blaming his shoes when another runner runs past him. It's amazing they can manage the Fuel! How is it they don't run out of Fuel ? Cause they Manage it.

No it´s calculated. It would be the same as Pirelli´s if the fuel starting to degrade in efficiency just because it´s one degree above the working temperature leaving the car with 50 horsepower less.

Why don't they carry enough fuel to go full out for the whole race?

Because the first thing that would go is.......drumrolls.......the tires...
Sometimes they bank on a safety car period and pay the price for it in the race but that´s different.

Why don't they complain about the 17K rev limit ?

Because it´s a regulation.

and create artificial engineering challenges

It´s actually the opposite. More regulations, less innovation and engineering challenges.

In my opinion the 2013 tires are no different than Double diffuser ban, 17k rev limiter, engine restrictions, 4 gearboxes per season, narrower rear wings

All regulations..
Where in the sporting or technical regulations can i read about how the Pirelli tires should act?

[strad]

It's amazing they can manage the Fuel! How is it they don't run out of Fuel ? Cause they Manage it.

They don't.
The cars are filled with the amount of fuel the teams think is just enough to get through the race..IF they have to stretch it, it is because they were under filled.
They start with what should be enough fuel.