Formula 1 official tire supplier Pirelli has addressed the recent concerns regarding purported tire cooling methods in F1, firmly rejecting any allegations of water injection or irregularities in tire management practices among teams, including McLaren.
These suspicions emerged after the Singapore Grand Prix when reports indicated moisture was found within the wheel rims post-race.
There are rumors suggesting that certain teams, notably McLaren, might have employed water injection via tire valves as a strategy to cool their tires, a claim that has captured the attention of the FIA, with Red Bull calling for an extensive investigation.
Pirelli’s Position on Potential Investigations
Following the Singapore Grand Prix, Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s head of single-seater technical matters, engaged in discussions with Pirelli and has been closely monitoring tire inspections after the recent sprint race at Interlagos.
The official scrutineering report indicated that all inspected tires met regulatory standards; however, Pirelli has expressed its willingness to assist with any additional investigations should the need arise.
“I cannot see anything strange from the data we have,” Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Head of Motorsport explained ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. “I don’t have any evidence,” he added, affirming the company’s commitment to aiding the FIA if additional steps are deemed necessary. The only thing we can do is to support [the FIA]. If there’s anything we can do to check or give advice, we’re here.” – the Italian manager pointed out.
While he admitted to being aware of the theory and the rationale behind it, he stressed that any definitive findings would ultimately depend on the conclusions drawn by the FIA.
Exploring the Feasibility and Risks of Water Injection in Tires
Mario Isola elaborated on the concept of water injection, explaining that it could theoretically be implemented by introducing moisture through a valve. However, he pointed out that this method would carry complex implications, especially regarding the management of pressure within the tires: “How to do that is very easy; you have a valve, and you just put water inside. But how the system works is another story,” – the Pirelli boss continued.
Introducing water into the tires would generate a thermal effect that could influence heat transfer, possibly leading to reduced degradation. However, teams might face challenges in maintaining consistent internal pressure, particularly as vapor begins to form within the tire. Mario Isola pointed out that having a vapor stream inside the tire would result in a loss of pressure control due to the increased pressure. He emphasized the complexities and trade-offs involved with this approach.
In the past, the FIA implemented a technical directive focused on tyre management, which outlined strict guidelines for tyre pressure and gas handling. This directive specifically prohibited any alterations or the use of non-standard gases inside the tyres. The directive was established several years ago in response to discussions about the use of special gases for pressure control. Isola pointed out that Pirelli adheres to stringent regulations, utilizing only dry air in their tyres. The technical directive explicitly states that any alterations to this practice are prohibited, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Leave a Reply