Pirelli Strategy 2011

[lebesset]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87984

what bridgestone should have done !!

let's hope the teams agree

[spinmastermic]

This is what we need. Drivers moan anyway so thats no big deal.

[Sean H]

the prime shouldn't last half the race and the option should only last half the prime. force the teams to make real decisions about race strategy.

[lebesset]

well , I second both your comments , more or less ; I feel that one set of each tyre should last the race only for those drivers who care for their tyres giving a choice of that or going for it and maybe using 1 prime set and 2 options , perhaps in different orders ; tortoise and hare racing can be very exciting ; and as well as forcing strategy choices it would give chassis and engine design choices

but unfortunately it is a big deal for a tyre manufacturer , the vast majority of people who watch F1 have no idea of the finer points , so making tyres that get comments like ...they don't last well .....would be a very brave step for pirelli

bear in mind the only reason for being in motor racing is marketing .....and anyone who believes that there is no such thing as bad publicity is kidding himself

[riff_raff]

"and anyone who believes that there is no such thing as bad publicity is kidding himself"

No kidding. Just recall the Michelin tire fiasco at the 2005 US F1 race in Indianapolis. That ended up costing Michelin quite a few bucks and a damaged reputation.

[mx_tifoso]

...

but unfortunately it is a big deal for a tyre manufacturer , the vast majority of people who watch F1 have no idea of the finer points , so making tyres that get comments like ...they don't last well .....would be a very brave step for pirelli

...

It is rather unfortunate that many "fans" cannot separate race performance and requirements from that of road cars.

And although as wasteful as it is, with the current two compound rule a lesser lasting option would be welcome. Because as it stands when it can last almost the entire race distance and the prime is only used for the last few laps it makes the entire scheme even more of a farce.

[marcush.]

decades ago teams ranted about tyres made of wood publicly..but in todays world this may not be opportunate...
To me the tyre thing is a farce when the soft tyre is good enough to go the distance at competitive speed.To me the combined two sets should be barely enough to do a qualy run +the race distance.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

As Mx said the real shame is most F1 fans cannot see that making tyres that last 15 laps, is for the spectacle and not because Pirelli arent capable of making tyres that dont last.

I think if every broadcaster made a concerted effort to educate its viewers, there would be far less of a problem. The BBC are doing very well with their coverage, bu its not perfect. I think their approach needs less Eddie Jordan and more James Allen.

By knowing why the tyres are going off, and the reason for it, I think most people would actually applaud Pirelli.

[lolzi]

I think their approach needs less Eddie Jordan and more James Allen.

I do NOT want to see more of James Allen live. He does very well on those techinical reportages though. I would like to see more of those as well.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Lolzi

James Allen will give you more technical insight in 2 mins than Eddie Jordan would in a lifetime. He is worth 100 Jordans, and my Plasma will last longer not having to strain by forcing 20 million colours representing Jordans stupendously ill judged attire.

[lolzi]

Lolzi

James Allen will give you more technical insight in 2 mins than Eddie Jordan would in a lifetime. He is worth 100 Jordans, and my Plasma will last longer not having to strain by forcing 20 million colours representing Jordans stupendously ill judged attire.

I like the fact that Eddie Jordan just pulls everyone over and is generally stupid. It gives us all something (or someone) to laugh at. James Allen was always too serious and shouty. He seems very good, just not live. I like his videos and what he writes about the technical part of F1 a lot more. But I don't think I would want Eddie 'The Clown' Jordan to be replaced, he is hilarious!

[DaveW]

It has, on occasion, been clear this year that what is a silk purse for some teams is a pig's ear for others.... That is a problem with the "Pirelli Strategy", I think.

Over many years of helping race teams set-up suspensions it has become clear that the task is very much one of making the vehicle "work" with its tyres. I can't claim universal success, but common reactions to a "rig set-up" are "6 lap tyres now last 60 laps", or "we can now triple stint tyres that used to go off in less than one stint".

It would appear that some F1 teams achieve "balanced" tyre use rather more frequently than others.

[Belatti]

Sauber!

[ecapox]

It would appear that some F1 teams achieve "balanced" tyre use rather more frequently than others.

I think this is also a good point. These Bridgestone tires have had years of development and teams understand the tires very well and are able to make them work over long stints.

While Pirelli may now have an eye on making a tire that lasts 10 laps in the future the teams may be able to get 20 laps out of that same tire just by making the car characteristics different. It's kind of like a cat and mouse game.

If their goal is to make tire compunds that last 10 laps option, 20 laps prime, ON AVERAGE, then they may need to modify their compounds every year to keep that.

I say Pirelli makes 2 compounds, Prime and Option for an entire season. None of this Supersoft, soft, medium, hard garbage. If the tires last 30 laps in Monza, but only 5 laps in Canada, so be it. And this goes hand in hand with getting rid of the mandatory two compound rule garbage.

[lebesset]

pirelli are on record as saying they expect to make changes DURING the season , at least to begin with ; the gestation period has been fantastically short so you can hardly expect them to have achieved their goals 100% !

even if they don't you can expect them to change each season automatically as they learn from what the teams have achieved