F1: Pirelli to test 2023 tires at Suzuka and COTA
Free Practice 2 of the Japanese and United States Grand Prix will be extended, from 60 to 90 minutes, to allow the teams to test the tires that will be delivered to them by Pirelli. The goal is to have data, feedback and opinions from the teams to understand which tires will then be presented and used in Formula 1 in 2023.
Speaking about the idea, Pirelli boss Mario Isola said, “At the moment we have another test with Red Bull on the Tuesday after the Italian Grand Prix, in Monza. And then we asked about the event tests. Basically, we will use Free Practice 2 at Suzuka, at the Japanese Grand Prix; in Austin, home to the US Grand Prix and Mexico City. The latter will be a reserve event in case of rain in Suzuka or Texas. It will be a test for all 20 cars.”
“FP2 will be 90 minutes, not 60 minutes, so we have a bit more flexibility,” he explained. “In terms of running it will be very similar to a normal FP2 for them.
“Each car will have a different test plan. Each single-seater can have different prototypes. We will make run plans with the same number of laps because we don’t want to give any advantages to anyone. So let’s say very similar run plans, but with different prototypes. Practice 2 will be 90 minutes, not 60. So we will have a little more flexibility. In terms of session, for the teams it will be similar to a normal practice session because then it is clear that we have to take into account the mileage of the power units. that will be used .”
“I believe that with the current plan, we have a good solution for the moment. Obviously, it is the first time so we need to check if it works or not.
“But the idea is for the future to keep all these kinds of testing available. So when we have the European season after some races, Tuesday, Wednesday, we can use some available teams for proper tire testing.”
While welcoming the idea of tweaking the FP2 timing, Isola admitted it was not without complications.
“Clearly we have to talk also about PU mileage. We cannot increase the power unit mileage compared to their plants and so on,” he said.
“It’s complicated, we can’t increase the mileage of the power units compared to their systems and so on. It’s complicated because every time you find a solution, you also find problems in the solutions themselves. The idea of using Free 2 is a good idea. . You don’t force the teams to move to a different place, you don’t force them to stay longer like Tuesdays and Wednesdays on the circuit, but then you have to use the same car they use for the rest of the weekend, with the same engine. So, mileage is a problem.”
“The problem, however, is that if it rains in Free 2, it’s over. When you have a day, it may rain, I don’t know, in the morning, but then the track is dry and you can use at least part of the day. Or, if a mechanical problem occurs during the 90 minutes, the machine will not be able to run for the rest of the test. ”
“It is not possible to plan the mechanical problem, or predict it. So we have to work on different solutions. For the future, therefore, I said that we will have dedicated tests. We have a longer period for testing. At the moment we can try until mid-December and from 1 February with the 2022 car, not with a new single-seater, of course. And we will also keep the tests in the race “, concluded Isola.
No testing of 2024 tires just yet, when the tire warmers will be abolished.