Feb 18, 2017
Question: What are the new tires?
Mario Isola: We redesigned the structure to withstand the increased bus load due to the growth rates and temperature. We developed this tire to meet the specific request by the FIA, the teams and riders. Changed and the chemical composition of the tires.
Question: What is the level of degradation and wear you expect?
Mario Isola: This is what we see on the road. On the tests in Barcelona we will collect data and will understand how much they are close to our estimates. The teams will have to revise the strategy, taking into account cross-less tire wear.
Question: What are the compositions will be available for teams in 2017?
Mario Isola: Names formulations remain the same: Hard, Medium, Soft, Supersoft and Ultrasoft. At each race we will bring three staff. In the first five stages of the choice of the number of sets made in Pirelli, and then the team will be free to choose.
Question: Is there a risk of recurrence of tire explosions, as in Silverstone in 2013?
Mario Isola: The incident at Silverstone - a single episode, the causes of which have been identified. We reacted correctly and seven days to fix the problem. Now we are talking about the fact that the machines will be faster during the season we expect significant growth rates.
Question: Winter tests will be held in Barcelona, will be held in the same place and the fifth stage. How serious is the growth rate of two months between the tests and the race?
Mario Isola: The difference in speed between the tests and the race in Barcelona will be huge. In tests of the machine is usually far from their real possibilities, and the fifth stage, many teams will prepare new items. In addition, after the Bahrain Grand Prix we will have yet another test, where the team will be able to work with the updates.
Question: The Pirelli developed and backup versions of the compositions in the event of an error in the calculations. How will it work?
Mario Isola: In the first five races, we will only use the basic formulations. We developed them on the basis of the information collected on our tests and calculations. But some aspects are difficult to play, so we have prepared five reserve of compositions that can be used if on a real track data does not coincide with the calculated.
Question: What was the opinion of the pilots had time to test the new tires?
Mario Isola: I should note that all the tests were carried out "blind" - the drivers had no idea that they have worked with some rubber. The data that is collected in the Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull, are available to all teams. The riders have made it clear that the observed difference in the compositions, and their opinion was very important for us.
Question: How large size and weight of the tires affect the efficiency of machines?
Mario Isola: New tires will ensure a higher level of mechanical grip. Front tire weight compared to the previous year increased by 1 kg, and the back - almost 2 kg. The total weight of the machine compared with up to 24 kg last year - to 726 kg, but this increase in speed.
Question: The machine will be physically difficult to manage?
Mario Isola: Yes, because of the higher speeds in bends. According to our estimates, the rate of passage of the third turn in Barcelona will increase by 40 km / h, lateral acceleration acting on the head, neck and body of the rider to increase by 1g. I know that drivers are now spending a lot of time in the gym.
Question: How will the rain race?
Mario Isola: With the start of a place. If you find very wet, the safety car will come, but when in the leadership race will decide the conditions of safety, riders line up on the grid and will start from the place.
Question: In your opinion, will increase the number of overtaking?
Mario Isola: I think so: as the machine becomes physically more difficult to manage, riders will get tired and will increase the number of errors. Let's see what will be the situation really is.