|
TYRES ON THE
TRACK
* The middle three compounds have been nominated for Austin: C2 as the P
Zero White hard, C3 as the P Zero Yellow medium, and C4 as the P Zero Red
soft
* The uneven track surface could make it necessary to run a higher ride
height, influencing aerodynamic performance. The teams will need to study
the data carefully to find the best set up.
* The United States Grand Prix was a two-stopper last year, but with a
completely new range of tyres, it might be a different story this time round
– thanks to new regulations, different weather conditions and other
variables on track.
* As was the case in Japan, the second free practice session has been
extended to 90 minutes to test the 2023 slick tyre prototypes, helping to
fine-tune the compounds for next year before the teams get to try the
definitive versions after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The entire FP2 session
will be devoted to the tyre test, with Pirelli setting the run plan. If a
team uses a young driver for FP1, it is allowed to run its own programme for
some of FP2, before concentrating on the tyre test for the remainder of the
session. The prototype tyres can easily be recognised as they won’t carry
coloured markings on the sidewalls. |
|
MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF CAR
RACING
“The Circuit of The Americas is a balanced layout when it comes to the
demands placed on cars and tyres in terms of traction, braking and lateral
loads, but it’s mainly a flowing track that the drivers love, which
nonetheless presents some challenging sections that shouldn’t be
underestimated. The track was partially re-asphalted in 2020, with a
‘milling’ process also taking place last year to shave off the worst of the
bumps that oblige teams to raise the ride height, which affects
aerodynamics. In the first free practice session, there could be a high
degree of track evolution so it’s going to be vital for the teams to
maximise the data collected during FP3 to define the best strategy. The
second free practice session will be dedicated to slick tyre testing for
2023, weather permitting. Weather conditions in Austin have been extremely
variable in the past, so it’s a circuit where you have to be ready for
anything!”
OTHER PIRELLI NEWS
The Indianapolis 8 Hour, the penultimate round of the Intercontinental GT
Challenge Powered by Pirelli, was won by the Mercedes line-up of Daniel
Juncadella, Raffaelle Marciello, and Daniel Morad from 15th on the grid. The
winning trio claimed their victory by just 0.8 seconds over the Ferrari of
Ulysse De Pauw, Antonio Fuoco and Daniel Serra, with the drivers’ title now
set to be decided at the series finale: the Gulf 12 Hours.
Rallying
The Catalunya Rally de Espana, the penultimate round of the Pirelli-equipped
World Rally Championship, takes place during the same weekend as the United
States Grand Prix. While Kalle Rovanpera has become the sport’s
youngest-ever drivers’ champion, the fight for the manufacturers’ title is
still open between Toyota and Hyundai. |
