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Silverstone: Pirelli fightback

apw2007

Zandvoort
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29 Apr 2008
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Pirelli, explanation on Silverstone facts and next races

Milan, July 2, 2013 - After exhaustive analysis of the tyres used at Silverstone, Pirelli has concluded that the causes of the failures were principally down to a combination of the following factors:

1) Rear tyres that were mounted the wrong way round: in other words, the right hand tyre being placed where the left hand one should be and vice versa, on the cars that suffered failures. The tyres supplied this year have an asymmetric structure, which means that they are not designed to be interchangeable. The sidewalls are designed in such a way to deal with specific loads on the internal and external sides of the tyre. So swapping the tyres round has an effect on how they work in certain conditions. In particular, the external part is designed to cope with the very high loads that are generated while cornering at a circuit as demanding as Silverstone, with its rapid left-hand bends and some kerbs that are particularly aggressive.

2) The use of tyre pressures that were excessively low or in any case lower than those indicated by Pirelli. Under-inflating the tyres means that the tyre is subjected to more stressful working conditions.

3) The use of extreme camber angles.

4) Kerbing that was particularly aggressive on fast corners, such as that on turn four at Silverstone, which was the scene of most of the failures. Consequently it was the left-rear tyres that were affected.

The only problems that had come to light before Silverstone were to do with delamination, which was a completely different phenomenon. To stop these delaminations Pirelli found a solution by suggesting that the teams use the tyres that were tried out in Canada from Silverstone onwards. When this proposal was not accepted, Pirelli found another solution through laboratory testing, with a different bonding process to attach the tread to the carcass. So the problem of delamination has nothing at all to do with what was seen in Great Britain.

Following the conclusions of this analysis, Pirelli would like to underline that:

1) Mounting the tyres the wrong way round is a practice that was nonetheless underestimated by everybody: above all Pirelli, which did not forbid this.

2) In the same way, under-inflation of the tyres and extreme camber settings, over which Pirelli has no control, are choices that can be dangerous under certain circumstances. Because of this, Pirelli has asked the FIA for these parameters will be a topic of accurate and future examinations. Pirelli has also asked for compliance with these rules to be checked by a dedicated delegate.

3) Pirelli would also like to underline that the 2013 tyre range does not compromise driver safety in any way if used in the correct manner, and that it meets all the safety standards requested by the FIA.

The logical conclusion is that it is essential for tyres with the performance and technical sophistication of the 2013 range to be regulated and carefully controlled by Pirelli itself. In order to ensure the optimal functioning of the tyres, the Italian firm would need real-time data from the teams regarding fundamental parameters such as pressure, temperature and camber angles. While waiting for new regulations that would permit Pirelli access to this data, vital for the development and management of these state-of-the-art tyres, the following measures are proposed for the forthcoming grands prix, in agreement with the FIA, FOM, the teams and the drivers:

1) The use of the evolution of the current tyre that was tested in Canada (and proved to be completely reliable) for the German Grand Prix this weekend. This represents the best match for the technical characteristics of the Nurburgring circuit. In particular, the rear tyres that will be used at the German Grand Prix, which takes place on July 7, have a Kevlar construction that replaces the current steel structure and the re-introduction of the 2012 belt, to ensure maximum stability and roadholding. Given that these tyres are asymmetric as well, it will be strictly forbidden to swap them round. The front tyres, by contrast, will remain unaltered.

2) From the Hungarian Grand Prix onwards, the introduction of a new range of tyres. The new tyres will have a symmetrical structure, designed to guarantee maximum safety even without access to tyre data - which however is essential for the optimal function of the more sophisticated 2013 tyres. The tyres that will be used for the Hungarian Grand Prix onwards will combine the characteristics of the 2012 tyres with the performance of the 2013 compounds. Essentially, the new tyres will have a structure, construction and belt identical to that of 2012, which ensured maximum performance and safety. The compounds will be the same as those used throughout 2013, which guaranteed faster lap times and a wider working range. This new specification, as agreed with the FIA, will be tested on-track together with the teams and their 2013 cars at Silverstone from 17-19 July in a session with the race drivers during the young driver test. These tests will contribute to the definitive development of the new range of tyres, giving teams the opportunity to carry out the appropriate set-up work on their cars.

Paul Hembery, Pirelli's motorsport director, said: "What happened at Silverstone was completely unexpected and it was the first time that anything like this has ever occurred in more than a century of Pirelli in motorsport. These incidents, which have upset us greatly, have stressed the urgency of the changes that we already suggested - which will be introduced during for free practice in Germany on Friday. We would like to acknowledge the willingness of the FIA, FOM teams, and drivers to act quickly to find an immediate solution to the problem. In particular, the adoption of winter tests, arranged with the FIA, that are more suitable for tyre development and the possibility of carrying out in-season testing will contribute to the realisation of tyres with increasingly improved standards of safety and performance. I'd like to re-emphasise the fact that the 2013 range of tyres, used in the correct way, is completely safe. What happened at Silverstone though has led us to ask for full access to real time tyre data to ensure the correct usage and development of tyres that have the sophistication we were asked to provide and extremely high performance that has lowered lap times by more than two seconds on average. While we wait for a change in the rules, we will introduce tyres that are easier to manage."

"Contrary to the impression that some people have formed, I would like to underline the collaboration and support that we are receiving from the teams, drivers, FIA and FOM. In no way are we intending to create arguments or attack anybody. We have taken our responsibilities upon ourselves as our press release indicates. But not having full control over all the elements that impact on the use of the tyres, we need everybody's contribution. With regard to this, we are receiving the full support of all the parties involved, for which we are very grateful

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns25793.html
 
I must admit to having a hell of a lot of respect for the Pirelli motorsports boss. Hembery is open, fair and honest and is a breath of fresh air among the F1 sport bosses/mgmt. He calls it as he sees it, speaks sense and does not shy away from the issues at hand that affect himself and his team/company

A few more like him and F1 would be a whole lot better in its current form.

I think some F1 teams owe this guy an apology.

......and I must admit to having my doubts about these tyres also.
 
Pirelli said:
1) Mounting the tyres the wrong way round is a practice that was nonetheless underestimated by everybody: above all Pirelli, which did not forbid this.

Will they advise of those who suffered tyre failures who was guilty of this specific action :?:
 
Pirelli mount the tyres at the track....
 
911UK said:
Pirelli said:
1) Mounting the tyres the wrong way round is a practice that was nonetheless underestimated by everybody: above all Pirelli, which did not forbid this.

Will they advise of those who suffered tyre failures who was guilty of this specific action :?:

I read that all of the failures were mounted the wrong way around. Coincidence ... think not.
 
asymetrical tyres ive used have a rotation arrow on them.
with f1 being the pinnacle are you expecting me to belive there's no arrow on the ttyre

bullcrap.

this is a corporate damage limitation exercise.
 
My experience - and therefore my anticipation - of people who lie is that they often do so twice, once less plausibly than the other. You know the kind of thing: 'Why were you late?' - 'Ah, the train was late ... and, er, my cat has shingles'.

In this case, Pirelli have exceeded my wildest expectations.
 
It sounds like the teams were doing some things incorrectly, but that they hadn't been told the importance of doing them the correct way because even Pirelli didn't realise how crucial it was.

MC
 
Pirelli previously warned the teams about using too much camber. Surely Pirelli can't be responsible for tyre pressure settings once tyres are given to each team?

Interestingly, it was mainly the top tier teams who had failures.....pushing the tyre technology envelope too far perhaps?

Pirelli have no way of enforcing anything. Only the FIA can and will do so now.

Hopefully safer and highly competitive racing awaits us.
 
I think Pirelli are trying to enforce corporate damage limitation based on their press release.

This can't be the first year incorrect cambers, tyre pressures, wheels on the wrong side etc have occurred in F1. These types of mistakes must have been going on for years to the detriment of car performance, not tyre blowouts.
 
Zantaz said:
I think Pirelli are trying to enforce corporate damage limitation based on their press release.

This can't be the first year incorrect cambers, tyre pressures, wheels on the wrong side etc have occurred in F1. These types of mistakes must have been going on for years to the detriment of car performance, not tyre blowouts.

Of course Pirelli must protect the corporate image but then again, I don't hear the teams protesting too much about Pirelli's statement.

To a degree the teams have been correctly advised by Pirelli on best practices.....then chose to disregarded that advice.

What will be interesting now is to see if the like of Force India(who have seen no tyre issues during a race this season) can now edge further up the field if/when the top teams wind it back a bit, with regards to the tyres and what they are actually doing with them to gain that extra performance advantage.

Pirelli don't make bad tyres. They make tyres to a specification/requirement and advise how to deploy them. They have no control over the teams in terms of how each team deploys the tyres.
 
I agree but if teams don't listen it should be to the detriment of car performance and not tyre blow outs at 180mph which is dangerous.

Again unless you're actively involved in the discussions with the teams & Pirelli majority of what you read on the net is hearsay.

What I will say is that Pirelli have been superb for F1.
 
Extreme camber angles?

Err, tese are racing cars.
F1 racing cars, not road cars.
And they are no more extreme than they've been for years.

The cars are using the kerbs?
Err, this is racing, the drivers do that.
And its no different to other years.

Reminds me of why KTM refused to support euan and charley with their bikes for round the world televised trips.
Because the neg press would kill the maker.


Either Pirelli will double the invoice for next year
, try to extract themself from any contract in place.
In fact it sounds as if they are doing that now.

Italian manufacturers.
Stick to food, and gorgeous birds.


What did the Romans ever do for us eh? /Palin
 
The real question is how would you know if your cat had shingles?? :D

Tinker said:
'Why were you late?' - 'Ah, the train was late ... and, er, my cat has shingles'.
 

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