Pirelli Tyre Choice

Pirelli Tyre Choice

Pirelli has explained how it expects a new system to allow teams more tyre choice freedom

The Colourful Evolution of Pirelli Tyres in Formula One

When it comes to the fast-paced world of Formula One, every detail counts, from the aerodynamic design of the wing to the type of tyres clutching the tarmac.

Pirelli, a brand identified with high-performance racing, has been at the forefront of F1 tyre technology, with one of its most notable achievements being the introduction of colour-coded tyres. This cutting-edge method is not only a stylish addition to the racecourse, but it also plays a significant role in the teams’ Grand Prix weekend strategy.

Let’s look at how Pirelli created these distinctive coloured tyres and what each shade means.

A little of background

Pirelli, the famed Italian tyre maker, has a long history with motor racing, dating back to the early 1900s. However, it wasn’t until 2011 that they replaced Bridgestone as Formula One’s official tyre supplier.

This post presented the task of not only creating tyres that could fulfil the stringent performance standards of F1 cars but also improving viewer understanding of the sport.

Why colours? Pirelli Tyre Choice

Prior to 2011, even the most seasoned F1 viewers struggled to keep up with tyre tactics. Pirelli created the colour-coding system to make the various tyre strategies used by teams and drivers more understandable to viewers.

This shift impacted not just the fans on the circuit but also the millions of viewers worldwide, altering the viewing experience by providing an added layer of strategic depth to race broadcasts.

The Colour Coding System

Pirelli initially offered a seven-color palette to distinguish between the various compounds. However, this was simplified in 2019 to make it easier for fans to follow. The current system contains only five colours, each corresponding to a particular type of tyre compound.

White tyres are hard and long-lasting, making them excellent for tracks with high abrasion levels.
Yellow: Medium tyres that strike a balance between durability and performance.
Red: Soft tyres that provide maximum performance over shorter distances, ideal for qualifying laps and good grip in the early stages of racing.
Green: Intermediate tyres for wet weather, but not for completely wet tracks.
Blue: Wet tyres intended for heavy rain, providing safety and grip in some of the most severe racing circumstances.

The Development Process. Pirelli Tyre Choice

Creating these tyres required not only technological innovation but also a good sense of aesthetics. Pirelli’s team collaborated extensively with Formula One stakeholders to select colours that were clearly visible at high speeds.

The colour scheme had to take into account visibility on TV screens as well as for fans in the stands, especially given the dazzling speeds at which F1 vehicles compete.

Furthermore, Pirelli’s efforts extended beyond simply painting tyres. The company made significant investments in research and development to ensure that the rubber compositions used in each tyre type were optimal for certain racing circumstances.

This entails endless hours of testing, both in laboratories and on racetracks, with teams offering feedback to guarantee that each tyre not only looked different but also functioned as expected.

Impact on Sport. Pirelli Tyre Choice

The use of coloured tyres has significantly altered F1 race strategies. Teams must now think more carefully about their tyre choices, taking into account how different compounds would perform throughout a race distance, in various weather conditions, and on different circuits.

This has introduced another element of tactical complexity to races, making them more unexpected and interesting.

Wrapping Up
Pirelli’s unique use of colour in Formula One is an excellent illustration of how intelligent features can improve the spectator experience while also serving a strategic purpose in one of the world’s most technologically advanced sports.

Pirelli’s role in Formula One will definitely change as the sport evolves, but their contribution to making the sport more accessible and entertaining for spectators will go down in history.

it gets a little complicated, with Pirelli allocating two sets of tyres for each race. Only one set though, can be used. It also offers one set of the softest compound tyres, that can only be used in Q3.

To finalise, every driver will be able to choose a further ten sets of tyres from all three compounds. This will take their race allocation to thirteen sets of tyres.

Pirelli Driver Tyre Choice

Each driver will then be able to choose 10 further sets from the three compounds to take their weekend allocation to 13.

I think that if you take some control out of choice of tyres, then you may be showing different skills? Michelin tyres wanted to come up with a similar proposition, but were pipped at the post by Pirelli, who also had some new ideas of there own.

In the coming racing season,

Pirelli will be using their medium compound tyres (white), hard compound (orange), soft compound (yellow), and supersoft (red) compounds.A fifth ultra-soft (purple) compound will join these.. The softest compound in the Pirelli racing range.

The racing will be more exciting because the winning team will have made all the right decisions, including choosing the correct tyres to race on that particular day?

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Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.motorsport.com