Category Archives: F1 News

Lotus is run an experimental 18ins low profile tyre in next week’s Silverstone test as Pirelli continues its push for road relevance.

The company has long believed that current 13ins tyre sizes are anachronistic and have limited connection to its regular products. In the past the FIA has been opposed to low profile tyres, and a change would have huge consequences for the teams, as clearly the suspension characteristics of the tyres would be drastically different.

In a statement Pirelli said: “Larger wheel and tyre sizes reflect modern market trends; with the adoption of a larger size invariably leading to even greater technology transfer between Formula One tyres and road car tyres.

“Pirelli would only progress this initiative if there were a genuine desire from the teams, promoter and other stakeholders to move in such a direction. This is in accordance with the Italian firm’s consistent philosophy of being a technical partner and sponsor entirely at the service of the teams and the sport, in order to benefit the spectacle as a whole.

“These tyres, developed and created by Pirelli’s engineers as part of the company’s premium strategy, serve only as an example of what is possible. However, the technology is in place already to produce this type of tyre with the same standards of performance and reliability set by the current 13-inch rubber. Indeed, with a new tyre concept right at the beginning of its development curve, the possibilities are almost limitless. These include even larger sizes in future.

“A new 18-inch tyre would not be without its technical challenges to produce, although the pay-off would be increased rigidity through having less flexibility in the sidewalls. Nonetheless, this necessary movement forms an important part of the current Formula One car’s suspension and damping.

“A smaller sidewall would also inevitably lead to drastically reduced branding space. In spite of this, Pirelli is completely ready and capable to move ahead with development of such a tyre should the teams wish for it to happen. And proof of this proactive capability lies in the existence of the tyres that will be circulating around Silverstone next week.

“The decision to demonstrate this ground-breaking prototype at Silverstone has been taken at the very top of the company, in order to showcase Pirelli’s reactivity and technical know-how.”

Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery commented: “The 13-inch tyre is no longer relevant to the everyday road user, because even an 18-inch tyre is used by standard vehicles these days. While 18-inch tyres would be a big step for Formula One, there are many other motorsport series that already use this size. So there’s scope to go even bigger than that in Formula One in years to come.

“In order to underline F1’s role as a test bed for future mobility solutions, we believe that it benefits everybody to have as close a link between road car tyres and competition tyres as possible: a belief we have held ever since we introduced the low profile tyre from competition to road use back in the 1970s. However, we’d like to emphasise that this move is not something that we are actively pushing for, as our role in Formula One is not to instigate changes. Instead, it’s to help teams and drivers make the most out of the equipment, regulations and resources they have at their disposal – whatever they decide that framework is going to be.”

Gene Haas is to become a sponsor of Scuderia Ferrari before launching his own team in 2016, the Italian team has announced. Haas logos will appear on the F14 T from this weekend’s race in Britain.

Ferrari has always been the intended partner for Haas, despite Mercedes also being mentioned. However today’s announcement stopped short of confirming that a deal for Haas to use Ferrari engines and other technology has been done, saying only that discussions are still ongoing.

Rule changes for 2015 mean that Haas needs only to own the IP of his chassis and bodywork, and he can buy everything else he needs from Ferrari.

“Haas Automation is a premium brand, and there’s no better way to drive that point home than to connect it with Scuderia Ferrari on motor racing’s biggest stage,” said Haas. “Scuderia Ferrari is F1’s most prestigious and decorated team with a large, loyal and passionate fan base. Exposing Scuderia Ferrari fans and Ferrari customers to the quality of Haas Automation CNC machine tools is an important first step to expanding our global reach.”

“We are pleased to welcome Haas Automation as our newest Official Supplier,” said Marco Mattiacci. “This agreement strengthens our existing connections with the USA, an important market not only for our company, but also for Scuderia Ferrari, as it is one where the team already benefits from several important partnerships.

“Over the past few months, we have been exploring with Haas a number of potential areas of collaboration, and this agreement is an immediate opportunity that we are pursuing, which proves Haas’ interest in Formula One.

“This collaboration will enable Haas Automation to reinforce its brand awareness and promote its products and services around the world, thanks to the appeal of Scuderia Ferrari and the global reach of Formula One. We are therefore delighted to make this announcement, which sees another premium brand join our portfolio of partners.

“In parallel, but as a separate project, Haas is committed to entering Formula One with its own team, a testimony to the growing appeal of our sport in the USA and on this front, technical discussions are ongoing between us.”

The FIA World Motor Sport Council has passed a package of changes for 2015. The most controversial is the move to standing starts after safety car periods, although these will not take place close to the start or finish of the race.

The ban on tyre warmers scheduled for 2015 has been abandoned, while there is a cut back on in-season testing, as teams found that the four sessions planned for this year were too expensive and logistically challenging. There will now be two sessions. The full list of changes is as follows:

The last date at which the sporting and technical regulations can be changed without unanimous agreement has been changed from 30 June to 1 March each year, starting from 2015.

A two-stage wheel fastener retaining system is now compulsory.

Last weekend’s Austrain GP proved to be a huge success, and Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner says his boss Dietrich Matechitz deserves full credit for reviving the event after an 11-year hiatus.

Red Bull bought the former A1 Ring some years ago although it took some time before the track was rebuilt and Bernie Ecclestone agreed to an F1 date.

“I think the return of this race has been fantastic,” said Horner. “This is an event that’s been put on for the fans, so irrespective of out own frustrations in this race I think the weekend as a whole has been fantastic. The weekend has been wall-to-wall action, it’s been an enormous crowd, there’s been a great atmosphere here, and I think you have to really congratulate and applaud Dietrich Mateschitz for the commitment and vision that he’s had in bringing this Grand Prix back to Austria, and the event that’s been put on.

“I think it’s a great example for all the promoters as to what can be done over a Grand Prix weekend. There’s been a real carnival and festival atmosphere here this weekend, there have been all kinds of displays, every five minutes there’s been something different going on. And it’s a fantastic facility as well. Overall the event has been a great success.”

Horner said that other promoters could learn from the experience.

“We’ve had more than 100,000 people here today, and those tickets sold out in about 36 hours. The tickets were also affordable, and it was well planned and well organised. The key thing is having the right promoters involved, and I think Red Bull have demonstrated how an event can be promoted and can be organised. I think they’ve done an unbelievable job. Dietrich is a fan of the sport, and thi event wasn’t for Red Bull Racing, it was for the fans. He deserves credit for having the vision and commitment to invest and put this event on.”

Meanwhile Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said: “We must really take our hat off to what Red Bull has done around Spielberg. This is an amazing race, the infrastructure is amazing, and everybody says that. It is really an honour to be racing at such a race track.”