Pirelli’s tire workers, like the rest of Formula 1, are preparing for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where the teams will have to adapt to the new asphalt surface that has not only been laid around the entire 4,309 km circuit, but also in the pit lane.
The work was completed only recently, after which the race organizers tried to wash it thoroughly with special equipment that supplied high-pressure water to remove the oily film from the surface of the new asphalt. This usually also increases the abrasiveness somewhat.
In fact, finding the right approach when working on the Brazilian circuit can be compared to solving a problem with many unknowns, especially since Pirelli brought softer rubber compounds to this stage of the championship than last year. In 2024, C3 will be used as hard tires, C4 will be selected for medium tires and the softest compound C5 will be selected for soft tires.
In addition, as in Austin, the weekend program includes a sprint, therefore everyone gets only one one-hour training session to adapt to new conditions and find optimal settings, after which qualifying for the sprint takes place on Friday.
In Interlagos, where traffic is organized counterclockwise, the lateral and longitudinal loads on the tires are characterized as average and are approximately equally distributed between the axles of the car. But it is possible that thanks to the new asphalt surface, speeds will increase – then the load on the tires will also increase.
There are a few other factors to consider: the high chance of a safety car and unpredictable weather, which can vary throughout the weekend. In general, it is impossible to predict how events will develop on the Brazilian circuit.
In previous years, two pit stops have been the fastest tactic, and Pirelli suggests that softer tire compounds will help make for an even tighter battle this time. track.
This year marks 30 years since Ayrton Senna’s tragic death, and the weekend program in Sao Paulo, the homeland of the great Brazilian racer, includes a number of events dedicated to his memory. Pirelli is also participating, mainly using the colors of the Brazilian flag and Senna’s personal logo in the design of the traditional prize for pole position.
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.
