F1 News
Pirelli boss explains what the extra long FP2 in Austin is for
- GPblog.com
A tyre test should have taken place on the weekend of the Japanese Grand Prix, but bad weather at the Suzuka Circuit prevented it from happening. The test was moved to the next race weekend in Austin, where an extended second free practice session will provide an opportunity to test the new compounds for next year.
Pirelli tyre test
FP2 at the Circuit of the Americas therefore revolves mainly around this tyre test. Speaking to Viaplay, Pirelli boss Mario Isola explains that it is mainly about testing compounds, as the tyre design was already finalised in September. "Now we have to define the compounds for next year," Isola said.
The Pirelli boss indicates that there is room for improvement here and there with the current tyres, which are tuned to the new 2022 Formula 1 regulations. The hard compound is central to those improvements. "We want to find a C1 compound with a bit more grip," Isola explains. The C1 compound is a bit too far away from the C2 compound in that respect, Pirelli judges. Furthermore, there are some upgrades to be made, but they will remain minor adjustments compared to the current compounds.