Tyres - Is it really more exciting?

[raymondu999]

Yeah. I agree that there is an independence of both. It's possible to be fast while managing tyres, but it's also possible to be slow while destroying tyres.

[nipo]

Well you could go for tyres that would last longer than the Bridgestones of 2010 did. And no tyre stops allowed, I guess?

So let's say we have a super hard tyre that gives you a life span of eternity (as far as a race distance is concerned). Can somebody give us a good technical read as to whether the grip levels provided by such a tyre feasible for F1 racing?

2010 tyres lasted a whole race, yes, but drivers had to nurse them. I think they did have blistering, and they did wear out, and they also did produce marbles enough to significantly affect off-the-line grip. And by all means, 2010 was the most boring season in terms of the Sundays - I stopped watching it mid-way and didn't resume until Abu Dhabhi. I don't know if DRS alone is enough to improve it to a good level...

Suddenly a question comes to mind - what's the pit speed limit nowadays? I lost track. 60kph? 80? I thought when I started to watch F1 I believe it was 100? The reason I'm asking this is maybe the price to pay for a pit stop has gone up quite a bit compared to the old days, hence we see more tyre-nursing behaviour, and less fight-and-pit-and-fight-again attitude. It's just a wild guess springing to mind - it'd be good if someone can verify this.

[volarchico]

Suddenly a question comes to mind - what's the pit speed limit nowadays? I lost track. 60kph? 80? I thought when I started to watch F1 I believe it was 100? The reason I'm asking this is maybe the price to pay for a pit stop has gone up quite a bit compared to the old days, hence we see more tyre-nursing behaviour, and less fight-and-pit-and-fight-again attitude. It's just a wild guess springing to mind - it'd be good if someone can verify this.

AFAIK, most tracks have a pit lane speed of 100 km/hr, with a few exception at 60.

[xxChrisxx]

Suddenly a question comes to mind - what's the pit speed limit nowadays? I lost track. 60kph? 80? I thought when I started to watch F1 I believe it was 100? The reason I'm asking this is maybe the price to pay for a pit stop has gone up quite a bit compared to the old days, hence we see more tyre-nursing behaviour, and less fight-and-pit-and-fight-again attitude. It's just a wild guess springing to mind - it'd be good if someone can verify this.

AFAIK, most tracks have a pit lane speed of 100 km/hr, with a few exception at 60.

The fundamental approach to racing is different now, in the past there was never the level of risk managemnt there is today. This is aided/caused by live lap simulations and data. It's safer for them to wait behind someone till the lap simulator shows a gap for them to slot into than to make a dan dare move.

It's why I liked Jean Alesi so much as a driver, he'd just stick one up the inside. More often than not he's just drive into people, but he was exciting to watch.


I remember a few years ago (Canada 06 maybe). The timing computers went down and everyone pitted during a safety car period. The result was that noone knew what strategy anyone else was on or relatively where they were on the track. Unless my mind is playing tricks on me, there was a radio to one of the drivers (alonso/fisi iirc) to just go flat out.

[Mr Alcatraz]

I like the strategy that the new tyres provide. It's the marbles that are the real negative IMO.

[Caito]

What will happen with supersoft and medium tires?? Remember this are the harder compounds.

[ESPImperium]

Im gonna ask the question; if the last 10 laps Blue Flags were abandoned, and cars that think they will finish outside the points can bolt on a fresh set of options to set a fastest lap for a reward of say 2 points???

How would that alter strategy, and how would that give the smaller teams something to fight for??? Also alter the strategy of the smaller teams as well im sure.

[mx_tifoso]

That's a very Ecclestone-like proposal. Why given them a tyre advantage when they should work their way up just like every one else? Points mean money and everyone should have the same opportunities to score them.

As for the title's question; yes it is more exciting. Although it's a slightly artificial route given that there might be significant disparities between two cars and the one with fresh tires runs around the other with ease. It complements the artificiality of the ARW.

[rfs]

The one thing I don't like about these tyres is that drivers have to drive so slowly to preserve them. I just watched an onboard lap of Vettel during the malaysian gp and he seemed to be only going at 80% or something. Maybe I'm just accustomed to the sprint-type racing of the refueling era but seeing drivers going nowhere near the limit during the race left me with a bad feeling.

Also: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsp ... 455739.stm

With Petrov's left foot pressed hard on the brake pedal, the car went into a wild pirouette - and the slick tyre's bias-ply material was exposed for all to see.

Are they really bias ply or is it misinformation?

[Robbobnob]

personally i would love if perrelli could invent a tire that someone can turn on and knock out 10 fast laps, but at the same time another person can come along and do 20 good laps

this would really make the racing more interesting, and a challenge for the drivers as it would be getting a technique that worked for you

though the current tires minus their marbles of death are fine in my eyes

[djos]

This tweet from Alex Wurz really sums it up perfectly IMO:

RT @alex_wurz: if a driver can't look after his tyres, he's missing something, ask alain prost how he won 4 titels & nickname professor
LinkedIn • 14/04/11 2:12 PM

[CyleB]

^^^ agreed

[SiLo]

That may be very true, but you didn't see the entire field doing it did you? Some people went at it hammer and tongs and just had another pitstop. We can't really see that too much today, although Webber did a good job.

[djos]

That may be very true, but you didn't see the entire field doing it did you? Some people went at it hammer and tongs and just had another pitstop. We can't really see that too much today, although Webber did a good job.

It's what separates the good from the great however if you add in good strategy to quality skills you can go flat out for the entire race putting in excellent times, overtaking others and gain lots of positions all while adding in an extra stop like Mark did last weekend.

[jamsbong]

Hi Everyone,

Tyre is a fundamental part of a car whether it be racing or just your daily drive. It is one of the crucial part of the car for safety and control.

To me, a good tyre will be one that is fast and super grippy. If endurance is to be minimised for the sack for show, at least make sure that the tyres are super fast before the tyre life runs out. I want to see lap records being broken and not marbles hitting driver's helm like bullets. To me, this is a real safety issue.

I think Pirelli's aim should be making their tyres fast and safe. Not just make their tyres "for a exciting show".