Pirelli is ready to make Super-Intermediate tyres

Pirelli is ready to work on developing another type of rubber, codenamed Super-Intermediate, that can be used in a wide range of weather conditions. The idea for its creation arose after criticism from the Italian tire manufacturers, as the effectiveness of the rubber, which is used when the track is flooded with water, still leaves much to be desired.

However, it is unlikely that new tires will appear in the near future, as the FIA ​​is already testing some sort of protective screens that can be installed over the wheels of cars to solve the problem of poor visibility on a wet track . First we have to wait for the results of these tests.

“The FIA ​​and the teams are working on a number of devices that can improve visibility by reducing spray not only under the tires, but also from the diffuser,” said Mario Isola, head of Pirelli Motorsport.

George Russell, president of the GPDA, the Formula 1 Drivers’ Association, said over the Belgian weekend that it is almost pointless to use existing tires in heavy rain as they do not provide enough grip on the track, and drivers usually prefer intermediate tyres.

Pirelli is also willing to admit that blue-marked tires need to be made more efficient. They are mainly used in situations where the peloton follows the safety car. Such a rubber pit spreads stagnant water in the contact area of ​​the tire with asphalt, but at the same time a strong mist trail is created, which greatly impedes visibility.

In addition, it is not effective enough under racing conditions. In the tests performed at Fiorano and at Le Castellet, ie on tracks where it is possible to artificially create rain, these tires were able to keep the pace down by 15-16%, but on such a fast track as Spa, the drop in speed reached almost 20%. Therefore, it is still too early to switch to Intermediate tyres.

That is why the idea of ​​creating Super-Intermediate was born, because such tires could replace both existing types of rubber used in bad weather. Pirelli experts already predict that such a measure could lead to certain cost savings and a reduction in environmental impact in the future.

Similar ideas had been discussed before, but were brushed aside when the FIA ​​took on a project to create a special splash guard that promises better visibility. But if the tests of such devices do not give satisfactory results, Pirelli is ready to develop a new type of rain rubber.

“I think the best solution would probably be to make mid tires like that,” said Isola. “You can call them Super-Intermediate, Intermediate+, or whatever name you want. They will be designed more for heavy rain and so we can solve the problem with one product that can be used in difficult conditions, but is still acceptable in terms of visibility, until the transition to slicks, when the track is already dry.

If the intention is to try to create a device that can reduce the spray plume and thus race in heavy rain conditions, then we will have to keep two types of rubber – the intermediate tires that are currently used, and also the rain increase performance of tires.

But if heavy rain tires are only used when the peloton follows the safety car, then I agree with the riders that they are now useless. That is why we have to decide on the direction we want to take in the future to develop the product that Formula 1 needs.”

And although it is not yet clear whether this idea will receive the necessary support, Pirelli is ready to start testing prototypes of such tires as early as next winter.

Source: F1 News

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