F1 set for record-breaking pace in 2015, says Pirelli's Hembery
Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery expects Formula 1 lap records to fall in 2015 as teams unlock more performance from their cars and tyres.
Formula 1 teams are set to challenge existing lap records throughout the 2015 season, according to Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery. He expects a clear step up in pace as teams continue to develop their cars and adapt to the latest generation of tyres.
Hembery’s comments follow a year of major technical change in 2014, when Formula 1 switched to 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid engines and new aerodynamic rules. Teams spent much of last year adapting to the new power units and recovering lost downforce, but with regulations stable for 2015, the focus has shifted to extracting more performance from existing packages.
“We’re expecting a significant increase in pace,” Hembery said, pointing to the combined effect of car development and Pirelli’s ongoing tyre evolution. The Italian supplier has continued to refine its compounds and constructions, aiming for a balance between durability and grip that allows teams to push harder for longer stints.
Stable rules bring development focus
Unlike the previous winter, which was dominated by reliability concerns and learning curves, teams have entered 2015 with a much clearer understanding of how to maximise their hybrid powertrains and manage energy recovery. Aerodynamicists have also clawed back some of the downforce lost to 2014’s regulation changes, with updates expected to deliver better cornering speeds.
Engine suppliers, particularly Mercedes, remain the benchmark after dominating the previous season. Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo has suggested that the reigning champions may face stronger opposition this year, as rivals improve their chassis and power units, but Red Bull’s own design chief Adrian Newey has cautioned that closing the gap to Mercedes will be difficult.
What faster cars mean for the season
Faster lap times will be closely watched by drivers and fans, with the prospect of broken records adding interest to qualifying and race sessions. For teams, improved pace also brings new challenges in set-up, reliability and tyre management, as higher cornering speeds and loads put greater stress on components and rubber alike.
The 2015 calendar includes circuits with long-standing lap records, many of which date back to the V10 and V8 eras. With the current generation of cars expected to reach higher speeds, attention will focus on whether drivers can eclipse benchmarks at venues such as Barcelona, Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps.
While much of the off-season attention has centred on driver contracts and team changes, Hembery’s prediction sets up a technical story to follow as the season unfolds. The first real indication of performance gains will come at pre-season testing, with competitive running beginning at the Australian Grand Prix in March.
- 2015 F1 regulations largely unchanged after 2014 overhaul
- Pirelli supplying refined tyre compounds for increased grip
- Teams focusing on extracting more from hybrid powertrains
