Pirelli boss Isola: 'Positive reactions to new full-wets Pirelli'
Tyre manufacturer Pirelli has received very positive feedback on its newly introduced rain tyres for this year. Managing director Mario Isola indicates this in an interview with GPBlog. Furthermore, he also discusses developments for a new intermediate tyre, to be launched in 2024.
Positive feedback on full-wets
"This year we made bigger changes for the full-wets and the feedback on that tyre has been very positive. The tyres can be used without tyre warmers and, in addition, we looked for better performance to ease the transition from full wets to intermediates," Isola indicated. According to the Italian, the improved performance has the advantage of allowing drivers to continue on the full wets for longer, instead of switching to intermediates too early.
Introduction of new inters in 2024
Pirelli had a number of testing days in the rain last May, which included testing a new intermediate tyre without tyre warmers. The Alpine team had the honour of already testing these tyres extensively, but despite positive feedback from Esteban Ocon, the new intermediates will not yet be used this season. "We have decided to introduce the inters in 2024. We will do this right at the start of the season, teams will have the opportunity to use the new compound from the pre-season test," Mario Isola said.
To what extent we will see the full wets in action next weekend remains to be seen. The weather forecast during the Hungarian Grand Prix indicates a significant chance of rain on Friday and Saturday, the race appears to be dry for now.