New rear tyre spec to be tested at Austrian GP

Jamie Woodhouse
Pirelli

Pirelli tyres

Pirelli have confirmed that a new specification of rear tyre will be tested during Friday practice at the Austrian GP.

Already Formula 1’s tyre manufacturer have been hard at work with the teams to develop the new 18-inch tyres for 2022, but Pirelli have some more immediate matters to attend to.

In a view to further improving the “robustness of the tyres”, teams will test a new rear tyre construction on Friday July 2, the opening day of the Austrian Grand Prix.

Each driver will get two sets of these tyres, with the freedom to use them in either FP1 or FP2.

They would be introduced from the British Grand Prix onward if the test is successful.

French GP start 2019
The start of the French Grand Prix at Le Castellet, 2019

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In a statement, Pirelli said: “Pirelli, in agreement with the FIA, Formula 1 and the teams, will test a new rear construction of tyre in free practice at the Austrian Grand Prix on Friday 2 July to evaluate its effectiveness to further improve robustness of the tyres.

“This decision has been taken in addition to the recently issued technical directive and the latest starting parameters prescribed by Pirelli, in light of the fact that it is not currently possible to monitor running conditions in real time. This will remain the case until next year, when standard Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors will be introduced across all teams.

“Next Friday, each driver will have two sets of these new tyres available for use during either free practice session. If the test is successful, the new rear specification will be introduced from the British Grand Prix onwards, replacing the current specification. The new rear construction incorporates some elements that have been developed for use in the latest 18-inch Formula 1 tyres from 2022.

“With this new structure Pirelli provides a tyre that can guarantee even greater levels of integrity under the extreme conditions that can be generated by the current cars.”

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