Sauber's Felipe Nasr calls for harder tyres in Formula 1 from 2017
Sauber driver Felipe Nasr has called on Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli to ensure its 2017-spec tyres allow a driver to push more during a grand prix
Nasr feels the recent Russian Grand Prix offered a taster of what could be in F1 if Pirelli opted to make slightly harder-wearing tyres.
Although for the majority the race at the Sochi Autodrom was only one stop, Nasr claims he enjoyed the opportunity of pushing throughout on both compounds - the soft and super-soft.
With Pirelli's tyres to be wider front and rear, offering more grip and helping to reduce lap times, the Brazilian feels there is also the chance to increase the durability.
"Russia was different to other tracks. It was intense. You were pushing from lap one to the end. There was no tyre saving," said Nasr.
"That's why you saw more cases of wear in the whole car - brakes, engine - the drivers just putting it to the limit. I enjoyed that. It was really good fun.
"So I would be in favour of more grip and having quicker pace throughout the race so you could push.
"If there is degradation in the race then it requires a bit more intelligence, but to be able to push more, then I would like it to go in that direction.
"Of course the idea of managing tyres a little is a good thing, it's nice to have."
NASR TO MULL OVER BRAKE SITUATION IN AUSTIN
Tyres should not be an issue for this weekend's United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, where the soft and medium compounds are to be used, and with the likelihood a two-stop race should unfold.
Instead, of greater concern for Nasr is which brake manufacturer to use as this season he has flitted between Brembo and Carbon Industrie.
Nasr has suggested while Carbon Industrie are more reliable, he actually prefers Brembo.
"I raced with the CI (Carbon Industrie) in Russia because every time we go to a track that is high energy in braking, like Sochi, we've learned from past events we have to go for them," added Nasr.
"Brembo do work if we have the right cooling, but with the package we have on our car we cannot run more cooling, so that is why we opted to run CI.
Previous article
Renault F1 updates for United States GP aimed at improving power
Next article
What's behind Ecclestone's comments?
The floundering fortunes of F1’s many Lotus reboots
Team Lotus ceased to exist in 1994 - and yet various parties have been trying to resurrect the hallowed name, in increasingly unrecognisable forms, ever since. DAMIEN SMITH brings GP Racing’s history of the legendary team to an end with a look at those who sought to keep the flame alive in Formula 1
Why the 2021 title fight is far from F1's worst, despite its toxic background
OPINION: Formula 1 reconvenes for the Russian Grand Prix two weeks after the latest blow in ‘Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton’. While the Silverstone and Monza incidents were controversial, they thankfully lacked one element that so far separates the 2021 title fight from the worst examples of ugly championship battles
How F1’s other champion to emerge from 1991 thrived at Lotus
Mika Hakkinen became Michael Schumacher’s biggest rival in Formula 1 in the late-90s and early 2000s, having also made his F1 debut in 1991. But as MARK GALLAGHER recalls, while Schumacher wowed the world with a car that was eminently capable, Hakkinen was fighting to make his mark with a famous team in terminal decline
The forgotten F1 comeback that began Jordan’s odyssey
Before Michael Schumacher – or anyone else – had driven the 191 (or 911 as it was initially called), Eddie Jordan turned to a fellow Irishman to test his new Formula 1 car. JOHN WATSON, a grand prix winner for Penske and McLaren, recalls his role in the birth of a legend…
The squandered potential of a 70s F1 underdog
A podium finisher in its first outing but then never again, the BRM P201 was a classic case of an opportunity squandered by disorganisation and complacency, says STUART CODLING
The other notable Monza escape that F1 should learn from
OPINION: The headlines were dominated by the Italian Grand Prix crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who had the halo to thank for avoiding potentially serious injury. But two days earlier, Formula 1 had a lucky escape with a Monza pitlane incident that could also have had grave consequences
How Monza only added more questions to F1's sprint race conundrum
With two sprint races under its belt, Formula 1 must now consider its options for them going forward. While they've helped deliver exciting racing on Sundays, the sprints themselves have been somewhat lacking - creating yet another conundrum for F1 to solve...
Who should Alfa Romeo sign for 2022's F1 season?
OPINION: With Valtteri Bottas already signed up for 2022, all eyes are on the race for the second seat at Alfa Romeo next year. Antonio Giovinazzi is the current incumbent, but faces a tough competition from appealing short and long-term prospects
