The second free practice of the Japanese Grand Prix was the first rain session of the season, in which teams and fans saw the features of the new clause of the regulations, which came into force in 2024, regarding the use of intermediate and rain tires .
Last year, each driver had four sets of intermediate sets and two sets of rain tires at his disposal for the weekend, but now the number of intermediate sets has been increased to five, and in case of rain to three, and a rule has been added that used intermediate sets may be used. Can be used in Friday training, in the car and further during the weekend.
With rain forecast for Saturday and Sunday in Suzuka, the teams opted to conserve their tires and did little track work in the second practice session. Simone Berra, chief engineer of Pirelli Motorsport, suggested changing the regulations so that teams do not have to save kits.
“Teams no longer have to return one set of intermediate tires after use in training, as was the case last year,” Berra said on Friday in Suzuka. “This track has a high level of rubber degradation and given the possibility of rain on Sunday most decided to leave all five sets unused, with the exception of RB and a few other teams who went to the track and immediately returned to the pits. Roadway.
We will discuss with the FIA and the teams solutions that will encourage track work during training. Ultimately, this is not our decision, but the topic will be discussed in the coming weeks.
You can continue to give teams five sets of tires, but if the session is declared rainy, the team must return one set of intermediate tires. Then there is no point in saving the kit and then returning it new. This will encourage teams to work on the track.”
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
