The 2023 Formula 1 season has already been full of surprises, with unexpected finishes and unexpected gains in car performance. The cars are significantly faster than they were in 2022, and this has prompted Pirelli to introduce a new construction of slick tyres. The new tyres will be available for teams to try out during practice sessions at the Spanish Grand Prix before their full introduction at Silverstone the following month.
Pirelli has stated that the change is due to the significant difference in car performance compared to simulation data provided by the teams before the start of the season. The performance is expected to continue increasing throughout the rest of the season. Pirelli's head of motorsport, Mario Isola, referred to Sergio Perez's pole lap at last weekend's Miami GP, which was almost two seconds faster than Charles Leclerc's lap a year earlier, as evidence of the gains in car performance.
The changes will be drawn from the extensive work done to develop this year's tyres, rather than being a construction that Pirelli has hurried in. The new specification will include materials that Pirelli had planned to introduce in 2024.
Pirelli has always aimed to supply a product that hits the performance targets specified by stakeholders while anticipating any potential problems and reacting to them quickly. The new construction will make the tyres more resistant without affecting any of the other technical parameters or their behaviour on track.
To allow all teams to test the new construction on a level playing field, Pirelli will supply two extra tyre sets per car to be used during FP1 and FP2 at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The unexpected gains in car performance have been a result of the extraordinary pace of development shown by all 10 teams. The teams have been working hard to improve their cars' speed and performance, and it has paid off. The new construction of tyres will help the teams continue improving their performance while maintaining safety on the track.
The new construction will also demonstrate the importance of tyre development in Formula 1. Tyres are a crucial component of a car's performance, and any improvements can make a significant difference in lap times and race results. Pirelli's work in developing the new construction of slick tyres shows its commitment to improving the sport while maintaining safety standards.
The introduction of the new construction of tyres will add another layer of excitement to an already thrilling season. Fans can expect to see even faster lap times and more exhilarating races as the teams continue to push the limits of their cars' performance. With Pirelli's new construction of slick tyres, Formula 1 continues to be at the forefront of technological innovation in motorsports.