Pirelli 2013

[MOWOG]

From the article:

We would only be interested if there are smarter regulations," he concluded.

Well, good luck with that, M. Couasnon. Don't hold your breath.

[Cam]

Now, Telegraph correspondent Tom Cary is reporting not only Ecclestone's 2014 deal with Pirelli, but also that "long-term deals" between Pirelli and "most of the teams" beyond this year are now in place.

But Pirelli "still do not have a contract in place with the FIA to supply tyres next year", he said.

So, if the FIA don't renew Pirellis contract - I assume that the team contracts become null-invoid. Would that be a correct guess?

[strad]

It's a size connected more with low volume UHP street cars, yes (the kind that often see more time in the garage or cruising around rather than actually at the track). A very large proportion of consumer vehicles globally are on relatively small bead diameter wheels.

I understand your thoughts on 18s. TMA figures show that these are the top 10 U.S. sizes in 2011,,,no doubt influenced by ,particularly ,light truck sales. imo When the most popular vehicle is a truck it makes me wonder and shake my head.

1 ................P225/60R16
2 ................P235/75R15
3 ................P215/60R16
4 ................P205/55R16
5 ................P265/70R17
6 ................P195/65R15
7..................225/60R16
8 ................P205/65R15
9..................195/60R15
10................215/65R16
I myself would like a shorter sidewall in F1, but not necessarily less than a 50 series, simply because it would force more of a real suspension on the cars.

[Pierce89]

It's a size connected more with low volume UHP street cars, yes (the kind that often see more time in the garage or cruising around rather than actually at the track). A very large proportion of consumer vehicles globally are on relatively small bead diameter wheels.

I understand your thoughts on 18s. TMA figures show that these are the top 10 U.S. sizes in 2011,,,no doubt influenced by ,particularly ,light truck sales. imo When the most popular vehicle is a truck it makes me wonder and shake my head.

1 ................P225/60R16
2 ................P235/75R15
3 ................P215/60R16
4 ................P205/55R16
5 ................P265/70R17
6 ................P195/65R15
7..................225/60R16
8 ................P205/65R15
9..................195/60R15
10................215/65R16
I myself would like a shorter sidewall in F1, but not necessarily less than a 50 series, simply because it would force more of a real suspension on the cars.

only #2 and #5 are common truck tires.

[WhiteBlue]

Do you all think that the switch to 18" wheels would require a new suspension design, or just significant set up changes?

Huge changes to suspension and aerodynamics involved. A big job for the teams which they do not want ATM.

[SectorOne]

Edit: another one,

[Just_a_fan]

F1 on large rim/short sidewall tyres will look silly judging by that picture. The same combination on road cars exists only as a marketing exercise. It provides little if any benefit on a road car (especially on less than perfect tarmac) and I doubt it will provide any benefit to F1 either.

[WhiteBlue]

Michelin make a whole lot of LMP tyres in such dimensions. They would probably be able to use the same manufacturing equipment. Big wheels are also the high price top end product which would allow them to have F1 support their marketing messages. For the tyre supplier there is some logic in asking for 18".

[Ganxxta]

Michelin make a whole lot of LMP tyres in such dimensions. They would probably be able to use the same manufacturing equipment. Big wheels are also the high price top end product which would allow them to have F1 support their marketing messages. For the tyre supplier there is some logic in asking for 18".

Doesn't look so bad on a LMP1 compared to the PS Ferrari above...

[strad]

The same combination on road cars exists only as a marketing exercise. It provides little if any benefit on a road car (especially on less than perfect tarmac) and I doubt it will provide any benefit to F1 either.

You really think your car would corner as well on 60 series tires as 45s?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[strad]

I take it back...I guess if you drive like an old woman and never push any limits it wouldn't make any difference,,,but it sure would to me.

[Juzh]

F1 on large rim/short sidewall tyres will look silly judging by that picture. The same combination on road cars exists only as a marketing exercise. It provides little if any benefit on a road car (especially on less than perfect tarmac) and I doubt it will provide any benefit to F1 either.

This entire statement is incorrect. I guess you never had 40s or 45s fitted to your car. The difference between let's say 40 and 60 or 65 is like night and day.

[Just_a_fan]

Yes, I've run on tyres from 40 up to 70 aspect ratio. My current vehicle came with 275/40 on 20in rims. I now run it on 255/55 on 19in rims by choice. It makes for a much better all round drive. It also gives a better tyre choice for that vehicle.

You know what? On the public road you will be doing silly speeds before 40s make a difference over, say, 55s. On the public road with less than perfect tarmac the deeper sidewall gives a better ride as well as protecting the tyre and rim when hitting potholes. Deeper sidewalls will generally give you a more progressive transition at the limit of grip too - good on the road where other road users do stupid things around you.

Sure, if you're driving a Porsche 911 on track then shallower sidewalls will give a more sporty feel, better turn-in and higher grip levels but if you're driving a Ford Mondeo on the road then you're just fooling yourself that big rims/short sidewalls are making enough of a difference to make the crap ride worthwhile. I had a hot hatch on 195/45 on 17in rims. Handled great when pushing on but was uncomfortable when "just driving around". They also resulted in a bent wheel rim when hitting an average pothole. A deeper sidewall would have been fine.

Oh, and strad, if you're going to go straight to ad hom arguments then you're not worth talking to...

[langwadt]

Do you all think that the switch to 18" wheels would require a new suspension design, or just significant set up changes?

Huge changes to suspension and aerodynamics involved. A big job for the teams which they do not want ATM.

yeh I'd suspect it would be like starting all over learning how to make suspension, It would have to work as suspension instead of something that keep big balloons under control

there would be lots of room for big brakes though

[Just_a_fan]

there would be lots of room for big brakes though

Hardly a necessary requirement in a series that is limited by the tyres' grip under braking (except at very high speeds of course).