Let teams choose their own two tyre options - Force India

  • Published on 20 Oct 2014 12:46
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Force India has a radical suggestion about how F1 should proceed in the sport's Pirelli-tyred era. Earlier in the Italian supplier's F1 tenure, Pirelli was famed - and often heavily criticised - for spicing up the race action with its aggressive tyre compounds.

That has changed dramatically in 2014, as the marque responded to the often explosive events of last year and the arrival of ultra high-torque turbo V6 engines. The last race in Russia, for instance, was notable for its lack of drama. Sochi circuit designer Hermann Tilke insists he is not to blame. "Pirelli brought very conservative compounds," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "When they are bolder again with the selection of tyres, it will look different again."

Indeed, while Pirelli was earlier criticised for being too aggressive, now it is taking criticism for being too conservative. So hard was the original compound selection for Brazil next month that Felipe Massa said it might even be "dangerous" in cold or damp conditions.

After Massa's comments, Pirelli did a u-turn and will now take softer tyres to Interlagos. "After further technical analysis of the impact of the revised circuit surface, together with a risk assessment suggesting a low probability of compound overheating due to extreme track temperatures, we have made this change with the unanimous agreement of all 11 teams," Paul Hembery confirmed.

But all the fuss about compound selection might disappear if the teams have more control, according to Force India's sporting director Otmar Szafnauer. He told Auto Motor und Sport: "Why not let each team choose their own two tyre options?" Szafnauer said a rule change along these lines would lead to more overtaking. "One car will be faster, another will be running longer. It would make the races exciting," he said.

Pirelli, however, has played down the likelihood of the proposal getting the green light. "First, it would be a logistical nightmare," said Hembery. "And then there is the danger that some teams will get it wrong. And if the (wrong) tyres are a safety problem, we are the ones who get the blame, not the teams," the Pirelli chief added. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country Brazil
  • Date of b. Apr 21 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Weight 59 kg
  • Length 1.66 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar