F1 News
Isola about the new tyres: That's how much slower the lap times become
- GPblog.com
With the final tests in Abu Dhabi, the 2021 Formula 1 season officially came to an end last week. A first glimpse of what 2022 will bring us, became clear during those test days. Modified cars, with different specifications for next year, came into action. Most striking were the new tyres and rims.
Small difference
From next season, Formula One cars will be fitted with 18-inch tyres and larger rims that are the same for everyone. The teams tested those tyres in Abu Dhabi on modified cars from 2019, while at the same time young drivers drove the 2021 cars. This allowed a first comparison to be made. According to Pirelli boss Mario Isola, the difference was about 1.5 seconds per lap, in favour of the 2021 Formula One car.
Of course, it should be noted that the teams are not deploying their 2022 cars, so another narrowing of the margin is expected. "We'll only get a true picture at the start of next year, when the teams will be able to test these tyres with 2022 cars, which will have completely different aerodynamics, different brakes, and wheel rim covers as well," the Italian explained to F1i.com. "According to the latest simulations from the teams, the new cars will be around five tenths of a second slower than the current cars: a gap that they will probably manage to overcome anyway by the end of next season."
Braking more challenging
Isola and his team listened carefully to the feedback from the drivers in Abu Dhabi. They mainly mentioned that braking with the new tyres is more difficult and that lock-up is more frequent. According to Isola, this is probably due to the increased weight. At the front, the rim is about 2,5 kilos heavier, while at the rear it is three kilos heavier.