Motors The Official bit-tech F1 2013 Thread

This here is imposible to give, I also dout we will see the germen GP go ahead as things stand. Unless they are bringing last years tyres back.

 

I cant see them using last years tyres tbh.
What I do know is we wont be seeing perilli next year

 

Nurburgring will happen.

 

With the YDT being a full blown tyre test now (which is 17-19 July), possibly with an extra day latched on, I believe we're going to see Kevlar banded prime tyres in Germany.

The tyres were tested, and only not implemented because of regulations and some teams not agreeing. That regulation has been/is being changed now, and the tyres have been tested sufficiently to race on.

The tests at Silverstone will be to assess the necessity of further changes.

 

Kevlar belts for next race

The article seems to suggest a change back to the 2012 structure but with this year's rubber compound.

Interesting to read that this year's cars are up to 2 seconds faster than last years. I didn't think the designs for this season were that much of an evolution from last year but 2 seconds seems to suggest otherwise.

 

Hmm, possibility of heat blistering?

 

Once again, there is no chance for any other manufacturer now, it took FIA too long :

http://pitpass.com/49384-Pirelli-set-to-remain-in-F1-in-2014

 

Other sources are suggesting that going back to 2012 designs isn't happening in time for Germany, due to supply issues, but 2013 structure might happen... best to wait for the dust to settle and official statements to be put forward, methinks.

 

Pirelli are saying Kevlar belted tyres for Germany, whilst they haven't said as much, these may be the modified tyres that Ferrari/Lotus/FI blocked from use in Canada/Silverstone.

Then from Hungary it's back to 2012 tyres, which is Pirelli's way of minimizing it's investment in F1 from now on, can't imagine why...

 

I know it's not serious but ffs don't give Ecclestone any ideas...

Daily Mash - F1 switches to clown cars

 

Well it's official, the three day test taking place in two weeks time will feature race drivers and all the teams... except Mercedes, who are still banned.

I'm sure Mr Brawn appreciates the irony of the situation.

 

http://pitpass.com/49415-Pirelli-issues-findings-of-its-Silverstone-investigation

In short - tyre explosions happened because of the swapping of rear tyres (blame put on teams), tyre pressure bellow minimal recommended (blame put on teams again), extreme cambers (blame put on teams once again) and on kerbs (blame on race track).

 

http://planetf1.com/driver/18227/8802111/Pirelli-confirm-Kevlar-switch

And it's official: 2013 Kevlar tyres used in Germany, 2012 compounds used from Hungary onward

 

Not quite, the 2012 structure for the tyres will be used but with this season's compound.

Pirelli statement

 

Yes... that's what I meant... silly me... Thanks for the correction.

 

From what I've read it appears that only the rear tyres are getting changed. I take it the front tyres have the same construction that frequently went pop at the weekend with the steel band?

If so I reckon it's going to be a nightmare for the drivers to manage the temperature of their tyres as the material of the belt appears to have a significant impact. Steel at the front and Kevlar at the back adds an extra layer of complexity for the driver.

 

On the other hand, the Kevlar belt offers operating temperatures that are 10 degrees lower than the steel ones, meaning that (as far as I understand this) they can be warmed up more aggressively by the brakes and such.
The front tyres have so far not really been an issue, so maybe the Kevlar ones bring it into balance better... Time will tell, and this weekend is no indicator, thanks to the once-off tyres.

 

Unfortunately quite a few teams are limited by rear tyre wear - brought on by over-working the tyre that has a lower operating window. Mercedes have struggled for years with rear tyre overheating, switching the construction to a less tolerant one will significantly hurt their chances this season.

 

Hmmm... not quite convinced by that, actually.

The way I understand it (not much, TBH), the steel band tyre heats up quicker as well (this makes sense to me due to heat conductivity being better in steel than in Kevlar).
The tyre wear rate has more to do with the compound heating up than the band inside (though overheating the band inside would/could cause delamination). Since the tyre now warms up less qucikly (my possibly flawed logic), the tyre wear could actually play right into the hands of a team like Merc, who have no problems getting the tyres switched on, but rather have a problem with overheating it, which would be alleviated by the tyre not heating up that quickly....

I am speculating and possibly talking out of my rear, though... that's my understanding of it, though the rosy lenses of hope for Mercedes and Lewis. I don't actually know enough about tyres to speculate with any form of authority.

 

The next few races will hopefully be uneventful tyre-wise as I think they'll know it will be quite moderate temperature.
What will be interesting will be places like Singapore (maybe not at night), defiantly Inda, Abu Dhabi. We'll see how the tyres do.

Hopefully crap and another supplier will come in next year