How Pirelli's new 18-inch tyres could play a key role in the 2022 F1 season | RacingNews365https://racingnews365.com/how-pirellis-new-18-inch-tyres-could-play-a-key-role-in-the-2022-f1-seasonhe decision to move to low profiles had, though, been taken "five or six years ago in the interests of modernity and (road) relevance", a source with knowledge of the process told RacingNews365.com, adding that introduction was delayed to coincide with a revised technical package as teams had been promised stability until the end of 2020.
Apart from aesthetics, the advantages of larger rims/lower sidewall heights include more direct response to steering and braking input, greater control over spring rates as the 'jounce' of high sidewalls is reduced, and increased brake disc area and therefore potentially improved stopping power – in turn facilitating ceramic (or other) braking technologies as F1 strives to phase out carbon friction materials.
During initial technical discussions between all teams, the FIA, F1 and Pirelli it was agreed that tyre diameter would increase marginally (from 660mm to 720mm) with rims incorporating (fixed) wheel covers and finger recesses, last-mentioned to aid grip during fetch-and-carry and pit-stop activities
"Heat transfer is another important parameter because spacing between the brakes and the rim is much greater," Isola says. "Therefore, we predict there will a lot less heat transfer from the brakes [in turn affecting tyre warm up].
For teams the biggest challenge is yet to come: translating tyre test data into on-track performance. Ferrari Racing Director Laurent Mekies expects "three massive pillars that are completely new: completely different aerodynamic regulations, different ways to operate the car (due to revised Sporting Regulations) and mechanical suspension, which nobody has had for 10 or 15 years.
"So, a lot of different limitations, and, in the middle of those, how to 'switch on' the completely new tyres. I think that's going to be the big challenge. There will [initially] be a huge amount of discovery with the 18-inch [wheels]. It's a great challenge as a team to make sure we have the base to get the core understanding we need."