Pirelli hits back at Russell: 'Adapt the driving style'

F1 News

pirelli responds to criticism russell
17 June 2023 at 15:45
Last update 17 June 2023 at 17:34
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  • Toby McLuskie

After the Spanish Grand Prix, there was more action at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. As Mercedes and Ferrari were in action for a Pirelli tyre test. This included testing new tyres that do not require tyre warmers. George Russell argued that the tyres were not ready for F1. Pirelli's chief engineer Simone Berra responded to the Briton's criticism.

The aim of is to start running with the tyres that do not need to be preheated as early as next year. This is mainly to do with the sustainability of the sport. There will be a meeting in July to talk about the future of tyre warmers in Formula 1.

Pirelli responds to criticism Russell

The Mercedes driver argued that the tyres were not ready for F1 because of safety reasons. On cold tyres, drivers have incredibly little grip and this can cause major problems, especially in cooler conditions according to Russell. Charles Leclerc also tested the tyres and the Monegasque also had doubts about their performance in cool conditions. At The Race, Berra argues that drivers just need to adapt their driving style.

“We consider the tyre raceable because otherwise, we would not have proposed it for the evaluation. in terms of safety, I don’t see from the data any specific risk. You need to change the way you are driving in the first lap, you have to adapt the driving style to protect the tyres because you can generate graining if you push too much in the first corners and the tyres are not up to temperature. I respect driver opinion, that’s for sure, but obviously, there will be differences compared to the old product and the current tyre management.”