Mario Isola explains how tire usage makes a difference in F1

The 2024 System 1 season is extra balanced than ever, with 4 groups competing for victory each weekend, the place qualifying is determined by hundredths of a second. In such a context, each element makes a distinction, as evidenced by the statements of drivers and engineers, the place expressions like “tire peak” or “working window” regularly recur. In an unique interview with the Italian web site FormulaPassion, Mario Isola, head of Pirelli motorsport, explains the science of tires and the way their correct use could be decisive.

Hitting the peakThe competitiveness of a race automobile is carefully tied to 2 elements: energy and grip. The latter, particularly, depends upon two different parameters, that are downforce, or aerodynamic load, and tire grip, the traction it may possibly present on the asphalt. Nevertheless, grip shouldn’t be fixed however varies relying on a number of elements, together with floor and carcass temperatures. Therefore, the just about obsessive focus of groups on retaining the tires throughout the temperature vary akin to most grip.

“The extra the group tightens, the extra necessary it turns into to take advantage of the tire at its efficiency peak,” explains Mario Isola. “The tire grip chart is a type of bell curve with a peak, and the nearer you possibly can work to it, the higher you exploit the tire. By conference, we outline an operational temperature vary that corresponds to the height grip minus 3%, however that is actually only a conference. When 5 vehicles are inside 0.2 seconds in qualifying, 3% is an excessive amount of. You must keep inside 1% at most.”

With the 2022 product, Pirelli labored to broaden the working window of the tires to keep away from extreme variability in efficiency and to emphasise driving expertise over tire administration. Regardless of the progress, nevertheless, the present product inevitably retains some dependence on temperature for grip. “It’s a flatter bell curve,” Isola refers back to the grip chart. “We work to flatten it increasingly, however it should at all times stay a bell curve. It’s troublesome to have a grip curve that, as soon as a sure temperature is reached, is totally flat after which degrades. There’ll at all times be some curvature, and it’s a must to hit the height to get most efficiency, which isn’t simple to search out.”

Balancing the axesIf hitting the tire’s efficiency peak is troublesome, it’s even tougher to attain it on each the entrance and rear axles. Mario Isola continues: “Balancing the 2 axes, which means having each the entrance and rear at peak grip, is essential and the toughest factor for a staff. One other problem is sustaining this case for a roughly lengthy stint. These are technical issues. You’ll be able to deliver an improve that ensures extra efficiency, however you continue to want to remain inside these ranges.”

Mario Isola’s reference is to Frederic Vasseur‘s assertion that tires are extra necessary than upgrades. The significance given to tires is mirrored within the stage of mastery groups have developed in utilizing them: “Groups are superb at this. Over time, they’ve discovered to make use of tires fairly nicely. The truth that the product hasn’t modified since final season in all probability helped them higher perceive the tires. Once we make a major product change, we at all times see a studying interval within the first races for the groups. This yr, with no adjustments, they have been instantly good at utilizing them.”

Cautious drivingProper tire use additionally depends upon a driving model that fits the wants of the present vehicles. Anticipating continual understeer prevents untimely overheating of the entrance tires, which might compromise steadiness with the rear axle. “These vehicles are very completely different from what we have been used to,” continues the Pirelli motorsport supervisor. “The system for producing aerodynamic load is completely different; you will have rather more load at excessive speeds, even on straights the place it’s not truly wanted.”

“This positively impacts the way in which the automobile is pushed. From the suggestions we collect, these vehicles are inclined to understeer. From 2022 to 2023, we made adjustments to cut back the tendency to understeer. Because of the groups’ countermeasures, the vehicles at the moment are a bit extra balanced, however nonetheless inclined to understeer.” – the Italian identified.

Don’t name it System TireThe centrality of tires in groups’ and drivers’ analyses tends to attract public criticism, however Mario Isola disagrees: “It’s not a System Tire. The identical argument could possibly be made for aerodynamics or energy items. System 1 has reached extremely excessive ranges of complexity and a focus to element. Furthermore, if somebody nails an aerodynamic replace, they nonetheless safe a bonus, proving it’s not all about tires. Merely put, each element issues.” – the top of Pirelli motorsport defined.

The extraordinary concentrate on tires shouldn’t be seen as a flaw in Pirelli’s product however as a pure consequence of a hyper-competitive System 1, the place each facet turns into decisive. Mario Isola concludes: “The widespread notion is that in a single-supplier state of affairs, the tires are the identical for everybody, which is true, however they don’t work the identical method for everybody. You must make them work nicely, like each different element of the automobile, from the aerodynamics bundle to the brakes. Immediately, it’s a must to use the whole lot at 110%. To remain forward, that is additionally essential, and it’s one thing that depends upon the staff’s talent. It’s not a Tire System, however a System 1 the place the product is identical for everybody, after which it’s a must to be good at utilizing it.”