Pirelli to favour softer compounds for F1 races, says Hembery
Pirelli is set to introduce softer tyre compounds at more Formula One races in 2015, aiming to increase pit stops and strategic variety.
Pirelli will select softer tyre compounds for more Formula One races in 2015, as the tyre supplier looks to increase the number of pit stops and strategic options available to teams. Paul Hembery, Pirelli’s motorsport director, said the company intends to bring the super-soft compound to more events as the season progresses.
After criticism of high degradation tyres in previous seasons, Pirelli adopted a more conservative approach at the start of the hybrid power unit era in 2014. This led to fewer pit stops and longer stints. Hembery said that with increased experience under the new regulations, Pirelli is now ready to revert to softer choices in an effort to achieve its target of mainly three-stop races.
Hembery suggested that taking the super-soft compound to Bahrain, for example, would likely have produced a three-stop race, increasing strategy variation and on-track action. He indicated that the super-soft will be considered for more circuits as the season continues.
Teams and engineers question impact
Not everyone in the paddock is convinced the change will have a marked effect. Lotus engineer Mark Slade commented that even the current super-soft is harder than similar compounds used in 2012 and 2013, when Kimi Räikkönen won races for the team. Slade argued that while the compound names remain, the tyres themselves are more durable than before, and he doubts Pirelli will make radical changes to its approach.
The debate over tyre selection comes as Formula One continues to seek ways to enliven races and encourage more overtaking. Pirelli’s move to bring softer compounds is one lever available to influence race dynamics without altering technical regulations.
