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TYRES ON THE
TRACK
* Less than four months after its first visit, Formula 1 is back in Saudi
Arabia. Pirelli has once more chosen the compounds in the middle of the
range: C2 as the P Zero White hard, C3 as the P Zero Yellow medium, and C4
as the P Zero Red soft. This time though, it’s with the new family of
Formula 1 cars and tyres, as the teams get their first taste of the C4
compound in competition this year – with the hardest three compounds
nominated for the opening round in Bahrain a week ago.
* This choice has been made as a result of Jeddah’s track characteristics
(both in terms of layout and asphalt), the expected temperatures, as well as
the data collected from the debut race in 2021. The new surface from last
year offers a good level of grip (scoring three out of five in Pirelli’s
classification) and reasonably contained levels of asphalt abrasion (scoring
two out of five in Pirelli’s classification), which should lead to moderate
wear and degradation. The severity of the loads and speeds is average, with
overall tyre stress scoring three out of five. Due to the rapidly flowing
layout, the track is not particularly demanding in terms of traction and
braking (scoring two out of five in Pirelli’s classification). A high degree
of track evolution over the weekend is expected, thanks also to the Formula
2 support race programme.
* The fastest street circuit on the F1 calendar has changed a bit since
making its debut on the calendar last year, as the result of modifications
requested by the governing body following a few on-track incidents last
time. These largely consist of opening up sight lines through corners by
moving barriers further back, while the final turn (Turn 27) has been
widened by the removal of a grandstand, which could make the lap slightly
faster. Turn 13 (of 27) still features 12 degrees of banking, helping the
rapid flow of the circuit that makes it the second-quickest lap of the year
overall, after Monza.
* The 50-lap Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is the second consecutive night race
on the calendar, which means that track temperatures can differ between the
sessions - as was the case in Bahrain – with FP2 and qualifying more
representative of race conditions. |
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MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF CAR
RACING
“Jeddah marks a completely different challenge compared to the opening grand
prix in Bahrain due to the diverse track characteristics, both in terms of
layout and asphalt. Driver will also use a softer range of compounds this
weekend to cope with the specific demands of the track, which is nearly as
quick as Monza. The teams head into Jeddah with no experience of these tyres
and cars on the circuit, and conditions could be somewhat different from
last time in Saudi Arabia, with the race now being held at a different time
of year and a few track modifications in store. The nominated compounds are
the same as 2021, but their make-up has also changed entirely from last
year. As a result, the teams will have a lot of work to do to assimilate as
much data as possible during free practice, especially in FP2 which will be
the only relevant session, being held at the same time as qualifying and the
race.”.
OTHER PIRELLI NEWS
Pirelli got this year’s European Rally Championship off to the best possible
start with victory on the opening round, the Rally Serras de Fafe in
Portugal, which uses some stages also seen on the country’s round of the
World Rally Championship. As well as victory for Nils Solans, third place
for Georg Linnemae ensured two Pirelli-equipped cars on the podium. |
