F1 Debate : Has Pirelli got the mix right in 2011?

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Home » F1 Blog » April 25 2011 at 14:24 | posted by Martin Porter | Comment with facebook
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F1 Debate : Has Pirelli got the mix right in 2011?

The Pirelli tyres used in Formula One this year are hugely different to those previously supplied by Bridgestone, and the result is a different type of racing in 2011. The new tyres are pushing rival teams onto different strategies, and are also helping to generate overtaking by forcing drivers to race on fatigued rubber. However, there has been some criticism from those who claim Pirelli's tyres are wearing too quickly and will end up detracting from the racing.

The case for Pirelli’s tyres

Two of the three races so far this year have been packed full of wheel-to-wheel action, and it’s significant to note the racing is taking place throughout the entire Grand Prix (as opposed to finishing after the final round of pitstops). In Shanghai there was also a notable difference between the prime and option tyres which created scope for different strategies, and further excitement. Pirelli’s degradation is just right as it ensures teams can create viable strategies from either two or three pitstops.

The case against Pirelli’s tyres

Formula One should be all about fast driving and hard racing, not having to take it easy in order to conserve tyres. Pirelli’s tyres are wearing out so quickly that drivers are no longer able to push as they could in the past, and are even having to sacrifice laps in qualifying to take a competitive strategy into the Grand Prix. The battle for victory in Shanghai was very exciting, but that was because Red Bull got Vettel’s strategy wrong, and we won’t see a race like that again once all the teams work out the optimum strategy. The Malaysian Grand Prix had 59 pitstops, which was simply too chaotic, and the extra marbles on the track are actually making it harder to overtake offline.

What do you think? Have you say below and join the debate. Has Pirelli got the mix right in 2011?

Posted by Martin Porter. - Follow him on twitter @tweetingmarty.

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Other comments

#1 MartyP | 24 Apr 2011, 09:41 Reply »

Personally, I think the new Pirelli tyres are fantastic. Shame it's taken this long for an exciting control tyre in F1. I don't think they're apart badly (they're certainly fine on the Saubers) but are wearing quickly enough to ensure the strategy remains crucial for the full length of a race. I just hope there will continue to be a big difference between the option and prime compounds, as per China.

#2 Jimmy@enterF1 | 24 Apr 2011, 10:40 Reply »

If every team had adopted a 3 stop strategy in China, would we have just seen everyone cover each other off and Vettel win easily?

So the question is, will the teams be able to work out the optimum strategy easily in the coming races (and go back so slightly boring races), OR, do Pirelli tyres simply make it too hard to guess the optimum strategy going into the race and will always gives us a bit of the unknown? I hope the latter.

#3 Len Hutton | 24 Apr 2011, 10:58 Reply »

As I said in my recent article, the Pirellis are great. I do think things will settle down a little as teams get their heads round the best strategies but it certainly won't be processional pitstop overtaking racing any more. The marbling is a concern because of the faster degredation and I hope Pirelli can resolve that.

#4 Jimmy@enterF1 | 25 Apr 2011, 14:34 Reply »

But doesn't higher degradation = more marbles? So if the tyres were absolutely rock hard, there wouldn't be any marbles at all, yet every car would have the exact same level of grip - or the other end of the scale is what we have now. Massive differences in tyre performance, but at the expense of the track being littered with the degrading rubber?

#5 Len Hutton | 26 Apr 2011, 08:05 Reply »

Yes you are dead right. There is a trade off. However, the technology and research that goes into tyres is incredible so I am hopeful Pirelli will be able to do something about this.

#6 The Dub | 26 Apr 2011, 13:56 Reply »

I would much prefer if the tyres were rock solid but the cars were actually close enough to fight the whole race through as in most categories of racing. Hierarchy being in great part being decided by budgets, what are the other ways to have/see real racing? Untill the FIA sort that this out, in my opinion by reducing drastically aerodynamic grip, Pirelli are doing a wonders for racing fans. Sure this will diminish as the season goes on and they master better their tyre wear but for the moment... Marbles? Let the drivers manage it and get motorcycle style kevlar reinforced knuckles gloves if their little hands get sore...

#7 Jimmy@enterF1 | 26 Apr 2011, 19:24 Reply »

It's a really hard toss up and so hard to please everyone.

Rock hard tyres, tiny wings.... potentially closer racing - the essence of Formula 1... out right speed and performance? DESTROYED.

If you lessen the technology that generates speed in F1, the more of a lower category of Formula racing you have.

Totally get your point, this is just a different one to contribute to the debate :)

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