About Us
Launched in 2005, this website started out as a dedicated F1 forum (hence FORUM…ula1.com) offering debate and banter on all aspects of Formula One and other motorsport categories.
Read more
Discuss the sport you love with other motorsport fans
Love it!! Kimi Raikkonen says that too much has been made of the impact of tyres on the racing this year - and thinks that it is the ban on refuelling that is playing a huge factor in shuffling up the order as well.
The competitiveness of the F1 field this year has meant elements like tyres are playing a bigger role in the outcome of races, with Pirelli having faced criticism that its products have now become too important in defining results.
However, Raikkonen is not convinced that Pirelli should have been singled out as the key element - because he reckons that the ban on refuelling is a big contributing factor too.
"I don't think the nature [of F1] is different because of that," Raikkonen told Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat about the impact of Pirelli.
"It's because of the amount of the fuel on board. I don't think there would be that much problem with these tyres, if we would race with 50 or 60 kilos, when we start.
"Previously the pitstops were made usually after every 20 laps, while we had less fuel. I think it would have been the same situation with Michelins and Bridgestones if we would have this much fuel as we have now.
"These tyres are good in qualifying: they have a good grip and all in all they are good tyres."
Refuelling was banned at the start of the 2010 season that witnessed four different winners in the first five races, and produced a four-way championship finale in Abu Dhabi.
ESPNF1; Pirelli has announced its tyre choices for the Canadian, European and British grands prix, with a full step planned for Silverstone.
With the supersoft tyre being used for the first time this season at Monaco this weekend, Canada will see the same compound choices available with the supersoft and soft being supplied. Though also a street circuit, the European Grand Prix at Valencia will be run on the soft and medium compound tyres due to the higher speeds and expected hotter temperatures.
It is at the British Grand Prix that Pirelli has been more aggressive, with a full step between compounds. Having supplied the soft and hard tyres in Barcelona last weekend the same selection has been made for Silverstone. A Pirelli press release explained that the aim was to give as many strategic options as possible.
"Silverstone is one of the quickest circuits of the year, so the nomination of hard and soft - with a full step in between the two compounds - will showcase both the durability and performance of Pirelli's products, while opening up many different possibilities in terms of strategy."
Pirelli's motorsport boss Paul Hembery says the Italian tyre manufacturer is ready to supply Formula 1 teams with Q3-only tyres.
He made it clear, however, that the teams believe the current format is fine and don't want it changed.
Current rules mean teams have to use the same tyres they qualify on in the race, something that has lead to drivers sitting out Q3 in order to limit their running and save sets for the race.
Although the current format often means the action is limited for the fans, Hembery says teams are reluctant to change it.
But he insists Pirelli could supply qualifying-specific tyres right away if needed.
"We could do it immediately," Hembery told Autosprint. "We could come up with a specific compound, or maintain the current ones.
"But the teams say that the format is fine as is, that the public enjoys tyre strategies.
"But if a fan on the grandstands doesn't see much running in Q3, then that fan casts the blame on Pirelli thinking that we don't want to spend any more money in order to supply more tyres."
Hembery also denied that Pirelli has intentionally attempted to create an impossible challenge for teams with its tyres for the 2012 season.
He reckons the design of this year's car means they are less stable, something that affects the way the tyres behave.
"I don't agree with whoever says that our tyres' scope of use is too narrow: the temperatures are in line with the estimated values," he said.
"What has changed, heavily, is the way these tyres are used this year. You can see that there's a lot more oversteering on the track. We also hear drivers' comments lamenting a lack of traction, but in my opinion that problem doesn't exist.
"Having changed the exhaust configuration through a rule has undoubtedly made the cars less stable. That causes wheelspin and the tread heats up, so it's normal you can't use the tyre.
"Another point is that nowadays the car performances are a lot closer. Last year there was a second between Red Bull and McLaren, while we've now seen in Spain 16 cars within the same second in Q2.
"It's not true we have intentionally tried to create an impossible challenge. In the next tests with the Renault test car we'll verify what the teams say."
I don't care who's fault it is. It's sh!tty policy for the fans that go to the GP weekends. It should be changed.
See our F1 related articles too!