Formula 1, Pirelli counters Russell: electric blanket ban no risk

From the 2024 season, Formulation 1 needs to do with out electrical blankets solely. Not less than that is the suggestion. After the Spanish GP, Ferrari and Mercedes examined the suitable tires in Barcelona for this cost- and energy-saving enterprise. Though the take a look at drives went nicely, warned George Russell then earlier than the ban on electrical blankets and expressed severe security considerations. That wishes Pirelli do not let it go and begins to counterattack.

“I might be very involved in regards to the mechanics who’re within the pit lane throughout a tire change,” warned Russell after the Barcelona tire test. “And I might be very frightened in regards to the outlap within the race in chilly situations. There could be accidents, little doubt about that.”

Nevertheless, Pirelli disagrees and is responding to the considerations of the Mercedes driver, who can also be president of the drivers’ union GPDA. “In fact I respect the drivers’ opinion, however they must keep in mind that with out electrical blankets it is totally different than what they’re used to in the mean time. So that they must method the outlap in another way,” says Pirelli engineer Simone Berra.

Pirelli: No security danger resulting from electrical blanket ban

“In colder situations it may be a bit harder to get the tires as much as temperature, however I feel it is principally the primary a part of the lap,” explains Berra. “Within the second and third sectors the lap instances are akin to the instances when electrical blankets have been used. So it is about managing the primary couple of corners, you must watch out there.”

Nevertheless, Formulation 1 wouldn’t pose a security danger with the brand new tires with out electrical blankets. “By way of safety, I see no considerations,” contradicts the Pirelli engineer Russell. “The drivers simply have to alter how they deal with the primary lap and adapt their driving model.”

“Normally, the take a look at went nicely with out electrical blankets, particularly since we did not have a excessive monitor temperature on each days,” assures Berra. Nevertheless, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a particular monitor because of the many high-speed corners that isn’t very consultant. Along with Russell, this additionally criticized the Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc after the tire take a look at.

Pirelli ready for OK – vote on electrical blanket ban on the finish of July

Earlier than a remaining resolution on the electrical blanket ban is made, there may be one final take a look at on the British GP at Silverstone. Crimson Bull, Haas and Williams will full this. “We’ll see how the situations are at Silverstone, the temperatures will most likely be decrease,” says the Pirelli engineer. “That might nonetheless present useful info on the warm-up part with out electrical blankets.”

Then, on July 31st, Formula 1, the FIA and the groups vote on the ban on electrical blankets from 2024. Since that is already an prolonged deadline, along with F1 and FIA, 5 racing groups nonetheless must comply with the abolition of the electrical blankets for the ban to return into pressure. The saving of power and prices in addition to the prospect of extra overtaking maneuvers within the race by warming up the tires would converse in favor of this. Russell’s safety considerations and doubts in regards to the usefulness of the ban, as expressed by Fernando Alonso, converse in opposition to this.

“We’re fairly assured that we’ll obtain our targets for Silverstone,” stated Berra. “Then we are going to current our remaining product to the groups and take their analysis. If the groups vote to ban the electrical blankets, we are going to do one other take a look at later within the season on a special sort of monitor to get a transparent and full image since Barcelona and Silverstone are among the many most difficult circuits.”