Pirelli to test but not race modified 2013 F1 tyres in Canada
Pirelli's modified 2013-specification rear tyres will only be used in Friday practice at next week's Canadian Grand Prix, rather than for the whole weekend as originally hoped
A Pirelli spokesperson has confirmed to AUTOSPORT that the modified rubber, which will feature a 2012-style kevlar belt rather than the steel belt used in the current race tyres, will be evaluated during practice.
Each team will be given two sets of the new-specification rubber for evaluation with a view to them being used as race tyres from the British Grand Prix at the end of June onwards.
Pirelli had initially hoped to use the new rubber for the whole weekend in Canada, but struggled to get unanimous support from all teams.
By giving the teams extra sets for practice, this allows the tweaks to be tested before they are raced.
"We'll be bringing two sets per team for Friday practice with a view to implementing the new rear tyres in Silverstone," a spokesperson told AUTOSPORT.
"As the regulations allow for this and for reasons of sporting equity, we think that this is the best way forward."
The changes to the tyres have been made with a view to preventing a repeat of the delaminations seen in Bahrain and Spain.
By continuing to use the tyres for the Canadian Grand Prix, Pirelli accepts there is the risk of a repeat of such delaminations.
But it is confident that the new-specification tyres have solved the problem.
"We want to get rid of the delamination that we found is debris-induced and creates a weak spot and overheating," said Hembery of the changes.
"We believe the solution we have will completely resolve that."
The changes could also reduce the risk of a repeat of the four-stop strategies seen in Spain thanks to the operating temperatures of the new rear tyres dropping by 5-10 degrees.
Previous article
Ferrari sure Monaco Grand Prix slump was a one-off
Next article
It's Schumacher not Rosberg we need to reappraise
Verstappen v Hamilton: Who was at fault?
Formula 1: Sprint Qualifying analysis
Hungarian Grand Prix Driver Ratings
This was race that showcased the best and worst of Formula 1, producing a first time winner and a memorable comeback to a podium finish. Avoiding trouble at the start and astute strategy calls were key to success, but where some drivers took full advantage, others made key errors that cost them dearly
The “heart-breaking” call that led to Ocon’s Hungarian GP triumph
Set to restart the red-flagged Hungarian Grand Prix in second, Esteban Ocon had some doubts when he peeled into the pits to swap his intermediate tyres for slicks. But this "heart-breaking" call was vindicated in spectacular fashion as the Alpine driver staved off race-long pressure from Sebastian Vettel for a memorable maiden Formula 1 victory
The F1 champion who became an Indy king in his second career
Emerson Fittipaldi’s decision to go racing with his brother led to him falling out of F1, but he bloomed again on the IndyCar scene. NIGEL ROEBUCK considers a career of two halves
Why Mercedes is pleased to be in the Hungary hunt at a 'Red Bull track'
Mercedes ended Friday practice at the Hungaroring with a clear gap to Red Bull thanks to Valtteri Bottas’s pace in topping FP2. But there are other reasons why the Black Arrows squad feels satisfied with its progress so far at a track many Formula 1 observers reckon favours Red Bull overall
How Red Bull endured its second car crash in two weeks
OPINION: Red Bull was justified to be upset that Lewis Hamilton survived his British GP clash with Max Verstappen and went on to win. But its attempts to lobby the FIA to reconsider the severity of Hamilton's in-race penalty were always likely to backfire, and have only succeeded in creating a PR disaster that will distract from its on-track efforts
The ‘screaming’ F1 engine future that may not be out of reach
OPINION: It wasn't just the Verstappen/Hamilton clash that had the Red Bull and Mercedes bosses at loggerheads at Silverstone, with the nature of Formula 1's 2025 engines also subject for disagreement. But hopes to have loud, emotive engines that are also environmentally friendly don't have to be opposed
The drivers that need to strike gold before F1's summer break
OPINION: Formula 1 is about to break up for summer 2021, with the title battles finely poised. But it’s not just the latest round of Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton that will be worth watching this weekend in Hungary, as plenty of drivers are eying big results to change the stories of their seasons so far
How Lotus F1 uncovered, then squandered its last ‘unfair advantage’
Cast in the mould of its founder Colin Chapman, Lotus was powerful and daring but flawed – as it proved through further soaring peaks and painful troughs into the 1980s. DAMIEN SMITH examines a game-changing era
