The 2024 System 1 season is extra balanced than ever, with 4 groups competing for victory each weekend, the place qualifying is set by hundredths of a second. In such a context, each element makes a distinction, as evidenced by the statements of drivers and engineers, the place expressions like “tire peak” or “working window” regularly recur. In an unique interview with the Italian web site FormulaPassion, Mario Isola, head of Pirelli motorsport, explains the science of tires and the way their correct use could be decisive.
Hitting the peakThe competitiveness of a race automobile is intently tied to 2 facets: energy and grip. The latter, particularly, is determined by two different parameters, that are downforce, or aerodynamic load, and tire grip, the traction it might probably present on the asphalt. Nevertheless, grip is just not fixed however varies relying on a number of elements, together with floor and carcass temperatures. Therefore, the just about obsessive focus of groups on retaining the tires throughout the temperature vary equivalent to most grip.
“The extra the group tightens, the extra essential it turns into to take advantage of the tire at its efficiency peak,” explains Mario Isola. “The tire grip chart is a kind of bell curve with a peak, and the nearer you’ll be able to work to it, the higher you exploit the tire. By conference, we outline an operational temperature vary that corresponds to the height grip minus 3%, however that is actually only a conference. When 5 vehicles are inside 0.2 seconds in qualifying, 3% is an excessive amount of. You must keep inside 1% at most.”
With the 2022 product, Pirelli labored to broaden the working window of the tires to keep away from extreme variability in efficiency and to emphasise driving abilities over tire administration. Regardless of the progress, nonetheless, the present product inevitably retains some dependence on temperature for grip. “It’s a flatter bell curve,” Isola refers back to the grip chart. “We work to flatten it an increasing number of, however it’ll at all times stay a bell curve. It’s troublesome to have a grip curve that, as soon as a sure temperature is reached, is totally flat after which degrades. There’ll at all times be some curvature, and you must hit the height to get most efficiency, which isn’t straightforward to search out.”
Balancing the axesIf hitting the tire’s efficiency peak is troublesome, it’s even more durable to attain it on each the entrance and rear axles. Mario Isola continues: “Balancing the 2 axes, which means having each the entrance and rear at peak grip, is essential and the toughest factor for a workforce. One other problem is sustaining this example for a roughly lengthy stint. These are technical problems. You may convey an improve that ensures extra efficiency, however you continue to want to remain inside these ranges.”
Mario Isola’s reference is to Frederic Vasseur‘s assertion that tires are extra essential than upgrades. The significance given to tires is mirrored within the stage of mastery groups have developed in utilizing them: “Groups are excellent at this. Through the years, they’ve realized to make use of tires fairly effectively. The truth that the product hasn’t modified since final season in all probability helped them higher perceive the tires. Once we make a big product change, we at all times see a studying interval within the first races for the groups. This 12 months, with no modifications, they had been instantly good at utilizing them.”
Cautious drivingProper tire use additionally is determined by a driving model that fits the wants of the present vehicles. Anticipating power understeer prevents untimely overheating of the entrance tires, which might compromise stability with the rear axle. “These vehicles are very completely different from what we had been used to,” continues the Pirelli motorsport supervisor. “The system for producing aerodynamic load is completely different; you might have far more load at excessive speeds, even on straights the place it’s not really wanted.”
“This positively impacts the best way the automobile is pushed. From the suggestions we collect, these vehicles are likely to understeer. From 2022 to 2023, we made modifications to cut back the tendency to understeer. Due to the groups’ countermeasures, the vehicles at the moment are a bit extra balanced, however nonetheless inclined to understeer.” – the Italian identified.
Don’t name it System TireThe centrality of tires in groups’ and drivers’ analyses tends to attract public criticism, however Mario Isola disagrees: “It’s not a System Tire. The identical argument could possibly be made for aerodynamics or energy items. System 1 has reached extremely excessive ranges of complexity and a spotlight to element. Furthermore, if somebody nails an aerodynamic replace, they nonetheless safe a bonus, proving it’s not all about tires. Merely put, each element issues.” – the top of Pirelli motorsport defined.
The extraordinary give attention to tires shouldn’t be seen as a flaw in Pirelli’s product however as a pure consequence of a hyper-competitive System 1, the place each facet turns into decisive. Mario Isola concludes: “The widespread notion is that in a single-supplier state of affairs, the tires are the identical for everybody, which is true, however they don’t work the identical manner for everybody. You must make them work effectively, like each different element of the automobile, from the aerodynamics package deal to the brakes. Right now, you must use every thing at 110%. To remain forward, that is additionally mandatory, and it’s one thing that is determined by the workforce’s talent. It’s not a Tire System, however a System 1 the place the product is identical for everybody, after which you must be good at utilizing it.”
Sep 10, 2024
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