Pirelli's 18-Inch Tires for 2022 Get Passing Grades, with One Exception
Satisfied Pirelli sees evolution not revolution for 2023
Pirelli has been Formula 1’s tire partner since 2011 and entering its second decade as sole supplier it undertook a fresh challenge. Out went the 13-inch rims that had graced the sport for a generation, and in its place came 18-inch rubber, to coincide with the overhaul of Formula 1’s technical regulations.
After nine rounds of the 2022 season, Pirelli has rarely been in the headlines—and that’s a positive outcome for the Italian company.
“We are quite happy with the results so far,” said Pirelli’s Formula 1 chief Mario Isola during a media event in London. “The targets we had in mind were discussed—agreed with the drivers first, with the teams, FIA and FOM—have been achieved.
“Obviously we already have in mind some improvements for next year. Last year we didn’t have the opportunity to test the new tires with the current cars, but with the mule cars, and they were slightly different.”
The mule cars were 2021 packages modified to get as close to the 2022 technical regulations as possible, but now Pirelli has 2022 cars at its disposal in order to hone its 2023 products.
“We now have a better idea on what to do on tires for next year, to improve the front especially because we have a very strong rear tire and that is generating also a bit of understeer on slow speed,” he explained.
“We have some ideas on how to modify the compounds slightly, but the result is good. We had close racing, very good racing, different strategies, one or two stops. I believe that spectators are enjoying the new Formula 1 of 2022.”
Isola says drivers are pleased with Pirelli’s 2022 product but one nagging issue is the Full Wet tire. Drivers regularly minimize time spent on the blue-ringed compound and are often swift to switch to the green-ringed Intermediate. Sebastian Vettel was most vocal, calling the Full Wet “useless” in Monaco, which started in wet conditions.
“We had some comments on the wet weather tires that we are going to address,” Isola said. “It is better to wait a little bit and understand how the wet weather tires are working in real tracks and proper conditions.
“Obviously the difference is slicks are designed with a range of five compounds and we can adapt a selection to the circuit. For the Wet and Inters it is impossible, it has to be the same tires everywhere, so if we design for example a tire for Monaco this tire is not going to work in Silverstone if it is wet, so it is a compromise.
“I believe we have to improve a little bit the warm-up phase, that’s important, and the point is we must be sure we guarantee you have an overlap between the Wet/Intermediate (crossover) and Intermediate/slick to make sure you don’t have a moment where none of the product is suitable for the track conditions.”
This weekend’s British Grand Prix is likely to be the biggest test yet of Pirelli’s 2022-spec tires.
