Mario Isola, the head of Pirelli, has revealed that a decision regarding the potential ban on tyre blankets in Formula 1 is expected to be made next week. The sport is considering outlawing the use of tyre blankets from 2024, with Pirelli conducting extensive testing to develop new tyre compounds that would be better suited for this change.
The ban on tyre blankets would have significant implications for the immediate grip and performance available to drivers as they leave the pits. Safety is a key concern as Pirelli fine-tunes the compounds to ensure they meet the necessary standards before the potential ban is implemented.
Pirelli recently conducted a major tyre test following the Spanish Grand Prix, and they have scheduled two more days of testing at Silverstone after the British Grand Prix. After these tests, the F1 Commission, which includes teams, Pirelli, and representatives from the FIA and FOM, will vote on whether to enforce the ban on tyre blankets from 2024.
Speaking to the media at Silverstone, Mario Isola outlined the process and the information that will be provided to the teams. He explained that a report summarizing the test results will be shared with the team principals, along with the detailed data for their tyre experts to analyze.
When asked about Formula 1’s readiness for a tyre blanket ban, Isola emphasized that it depends on the specific tyre compounds being used. He highlighted that the absence of tyre blankets would result in different warm-up characteristics compared to the current heated tyres. Pirelli has not been able to test the new tyres in all conditions, including colder temperatures, which could impact race strategies and the overall show. However, the move towards reducing the environmental impact of the sport aligns with the goals agreed upon by all F1 stakeholders to make Formula 1 more sustainable.
The final decision on the tyre blanket ban is expected to be made based on the test results and data, taking into account the balance between performance, safety, and sustainability. The potential ban represents a significant change in Formula 1 and could shape the future of tyre technology in the sport.
