Pirelli play it safe heading to the inaugural Miami Grand Prix

Pirelli play it safe heading to the inaugural Miami Grand Prix

A Formula 1 season which is dictated by numerous unknowns ravels it ways to the Miami Grand Prix for its fifth round. The venue is introduced on the calendar due to an ever growing popularity of Formula 1 in the United States. The current season with new rules and regulations, also views a change in the tyres used in the sport. The 18 inch tyres are inaugurated by Pirelli this season in Formula 1. This move was made to view prospects of closer racing on track while preventing overheating at the same time. Pirelli’s 18 inch tyres also compliment the fresh aerodynamic rules faced by each team on the grid.

The data availability on these fresh compounds introduced by Pirelli remains very limited for each team. Thus, at each race weekend, all the teams on the grid face a learning curve for this new rubber. The Red Bull and the Ferrari who remain to be the favourites this season, have both faced major tyre-degradation problems. The unforeseen drop in tyre performance has cost both teams a Grand Prix win. Consequently, Pirelli has decided to make the C2, C3 and the C4 tyre compound available to each team at the Miami Grand Prix.

Pirelli Boss, Mario Isola Expects The Miami Grand Prix To Offer ‘Pretty Good Grip’

This is the first time that Formula 1 sets up its tents in Miami. This translates into each team only having the simulator data with them, but no on track data ever. Such prospect can be challenging as the teams are still learning their new machinery. However, Pirelli boss, Mario Isola terms Miami circuit similar to Jeddah as he said, “It runs counter-clockwise, so the emphasis is on the tyres on the right hand side of the car”

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Mario Isola further termed the track layout to be ‘very fast’. The Pirelli head commented on his expectations about the track saying “Relatively slippery track due to the new asphalt, but at the same time, the asphalt should offer ‘pretty good grip’ from the start due to the water jet treatment it has undergone. Because it’s a fast track the cars are likely to run a low to medium downforce set-up.”

With each team walking into the weekend with no prior experience, the Formula 1 grid at Miami Grand Prix can see a major shuffle in the pecking order. The priority remains for each team and driver to learn how their respective packages behave on the track. The contender who manages to beat his rivals in this process of learning the new conditions, can find itself on the podium this weekend.

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