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WHY WE’VE CHOSEN THE TYRES
Formula 1 is back after its summer break with compounds in the middle of the
range for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps: the first race of the
second triple-header of the 2021 season. In Belgium, the C2 will be the P
Zero White hard, the C3 will be the P Zero Yellow medium, and the C4 will be
the P Zero Red soft.
This is the same nomination as last year, which was a step softer than the
tyres nominated back in 2019.
Spa, well-known as one of the most exciting tracks on the calendar, contains
a wide range of different demands over the longest lap of the season. |
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TRACK CHARACTERISTICS
* Spa – located in the foothills of the Ardennes – is of course synonymous
with changeable weather, which can also vary on different parts of the
circuit. Although last year’s race was dry, there’s always a high chance of
the Cinturato wet-weather tyres making an appearance at some point over the
weekend.
* The forces put through the tyres at the Belgian Grand Prix are high,
especially at the famous Eau Rouge-Raidillon complex, where the tyres are
subjected to a fierce compression and heavy g forces over one of the fastest
parts of the track.
* The Kemmel Straight at nearly 800 metres long, has the effect of cooling
the tyres down, which affects grip through the following corners. In fact,
from the exit of La Source all the way to Les Combes (which follows the
Kemmel Straight) is a distance of just over two kilometres without any
braking.
* Last year’s Belgian Grand Prix was won with a one-stop medium-hard
strategy: the same tactic selected by all three podium finishers. They
switched during a lengthy safety car period from lap 11 that heavily
influenced the strategy, with all but two drivers stopping under the safety
car. |
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MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF CAR
RACING
“The Belgian Grand Prix marks our third visit to Spa within a month in very
different contexts, following the Spa 24 Hours, the Ypres Rally Belgium –
which had its final day at Spa – and now Formula 1. The challenges of this
track, especially when it comes to the weather, are well-known, as are the
loads placed on the tyres. Last year the top three qualified on the medium
tyre, while the soft offered a good step up in grip but required more
management, and so was not considered to be an optimal race tyre. The
majority of drivers went from medium to hard, with the pit stop dictated by
the safety car at lap 11 for most of them. So we could see an interesting
mix of strategies this year.”
OTHER PIRELLI NEWS
* Pirelli was last at Spa just two weeks ago, with the race track forming
the finale to the Ypres Rally Belgium, won by Hyundai’s local hero Thierry
Neuville.
* The Spa 24 Hours at the beginning of the month was won by the Ferrari crew
of Come Ledogar, Nicklas Nielsen, and Alessandro Pier Guidi, taking the
Italian manufacturer’s first win at the race since 2004.
* Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes participated in the most recent 2022 18-inch
F1 tyre test following the Hungarian Grand Prix: just one prototype test
session remains this year at Paul Ricard, in mid-September. |
