Alguersuari: 2013 Pirelli F1 Tyres Offer Greater Stability and Durability
Jaime Alguersuari, Pirelli’s test driver, says this year’s Formula One tyres are more stable and durable than in 2012, despite pre-season concerns over degradation.
Jaime Alguersuari, Pirelli’s Formula One test driver, has said the 2013 Pirelli tyres are more stable and durable than last season’s, despite widespread concern among teams over high degradation during pre-season testing. Alguersuari’s comments come just days before the Australian Grand Prix, as teams prepare for the first race of the year with a new range of compounds.
Alguersuari acknowledged that the Italian supplier’s tyres showed considerable degradation during winter testing, but attributed this to unusually low track temperatures. He argued that the compounds did not reach their optimal operating window, exaggerating the wear rate observed in Barcelona and Jerez. According to Alguersuari, the real performance and lifespan of the tyres will only become clear once the season begins under typical race conditions.
He insisted the 2013 tyres are not a problem for teams, describing them as more predictable and with a longer useful life than many engineers have suggested. “We will see much more stable tyres than last year,” Alguersuari said, though he cautioned that this does not mean races will become one-stop affairs. Pirelli has made all compounds slightly softer for 2013, aiming to maintain the challenge of strategy and tyre management that has become a hallmark of recent Formula One seasons.
Why teams are still wary after winter testing
Despite Pirelli’s assurances, several teams have expressed frustration with the 2013 tyres’ behaviour in testing. The rapid degradation seen in cold conditions led to fears of excessive pit stops and unpredictable race strategies. However, Alguersuari’s remarks suggest that much of this concern may be misplaced, as the tyres should perform more consistently once racing begins in warmer climates.
The fact that all teams have access to the same compounds means any adaptation will come down to how well each team and driver manage tyre temperatures and wear. Teams that struggled with the 2012 tyres may find the new construction and compounds offer a more predictable platform, though the slightly softer nature of the 2013 range will still reward careful strategy and smooth driving.
What to expect in Melbourne and beyond
The opening race in Melbourne will provide the first real test of Pirelli’s 2013 tyres under race conditions. Teams will be watching closely to see whether the stability and durability Alguersuari described materialise in practice. While the softer compounds are likely to keep pit strategy in play, early indications are that the new tyres will be less prone to the erratic performance swings seen in 2012.
For more on how teams are responding to the 2013 Pirelli tyres after the first few races, see F1 Teams Voice Frustration Over 2013 Pirelli Tyres After China
