Pirelli: "New superhard tyre is our insurance"

  • Published on 06 Dec 2017 11:29
  • 9
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Pirelli has defended its decision to introduce a 'super hard' tyre in 2018. After a full season with the new, faster cars, F1's tyre supplier is now introducing a 'hyper soft' and 'super hard' at each end of the compound spectrum.

But some have criticised Pirelli for coming up with a new hard tyre that is unlikely to be ever suitable for use. "Quite simply, it's our insurance," Pirelli boss Mario Isola told Speed Week.

"Basically, we assume we will never use the super hard tyre. But it's still difficult for us to assess how quickly these new cars will be developed, and whether some corners could become critical. The hard tyre is enough on the circuits that put the tyres through a lot, but according to the regulations we may add another compound during the season. It's better to be safe than sorry," Isola added. (GMM)

Replies (9)

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  • FatMike

    Posts: 153

    Fair assessment...better that than a us gp debacle like back in the day that kills your reputation for eternity

    • + 0
    • Dec 6 2017 - 12:37
  • f1dave

    Posts: 782

    More pure crap from Pirelli. When are we going to see the ultra hard and ultra super mega hard tires? Probably not untill they run out of colours for the sidewalls.

    • + 0
    • Dec 6 2017 - 17:38
  • Oh, so instead of making use of your current hard tyres, you just make a new. 'cuz all of the teams would use it if they had the option to, and the current hards are really not hard as it is.

    Lets all laugh
    at a Pirelli
    that never learns anything
    Tee Hee Hee!

    • + 0
    • Dec 6 2017 - 17:53
  • I don't get all the hate. Pirelli is doing pretty much everything that is asked of them. They have been good partners. The problem is with regulations, not tyres.

    • + 0
    • Dec 6 2017 - 19:13
    • Thing is, its not just down to the regulations. Pirelli had one task, and thats setting up tyres than can be switched on with relative ease, burned to a crisp, then replaced, rinse repeat. What they delivered were tyres that were generally hard to switch on (except for the US and SS), while still fading as fast as ever. I agree the regulations arent very good, but at the end of the day, Pirelli just hasnt performed.

      • + 1
      • Dec 6 2017 - 21:04
  • RogerF1

    Posts: 501

    It should be mandatory for F1 teams to have at least one colour blind pit crew guy, mix it up a bit.

    • + 2
    • Dec 6 2017 - 21:39
    • Thanks, I needed a good chuckle.

      "And out goes Hamilton on 3 ultra mega softs and one intermediate"

      • + 2
      • Dec 7 2017 - 05:59
    • RogerF1

      Posts: 501

      It might pay off having a harder compound on the left side on a clockwise circuit reduce the blistering get a few more laps ;-)

      • + 0
      • Dec 7 2017 - 08:30
    • "Oh dear, Perez has four different tyres!"

      • + 0
      • Dec 7 2017 - 11:06

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