F1 makes MAJOR decision over tyres amid proposed ban

Stacks of new tyres sitting in the garage — Photo: © LAT Images

Formula 1

F1 makes MAJOR decision over tyres amid proposed ban

Tyre blankets will remain for slicks until at least 2025, it has officially been decided

Dan Davis

Saturday 29 July 2023 11:57

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Tyre blankets will remain for slick rubber in Formula 1 after a proposed ban was voted down during an F1 Commission meeting, it has been confirmed.

The blankets enable teams to heat their tyres to 70 degrees Celsius for two hours before sessions, ensuring drivers have improved grip when racing.

In their effort to improve sustainability in the sport, however, manufacturers Pirelli have looked to develop tyres that do not require warming up before events.

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A major step toward the change saw several drivers take part in tests, but for the next year at least, a decision over the ban has been delayed until at least 2025.

"The results of the testing undertaken so far show that the change can be implemented to the requested target specifications for 2024, however it has been decided to postpone the introduction of a tyre blanket ban for dry tyres in 2024 and to continue this discussion and further testing into 2025," a statement read.

Blanket-free wet tyres were debuted at the Monaco Grand Prix

Horner: Ban 'just too early'

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes more testing is required to ensure that blanket-free dry tyres are suitable for race conditions.

"I think it's just too early in the process," he said.

"We did a test recently with Pirelli and I think they've made good progress but there was a collective decision that it's not quite ready for 2024."

A potential complication is that the start of a new tyre deal will take place in the same year, with incumbent Pirelli or the returning Bridgestone both in contention.

It was agreed, though, that blanket-free intermediate tyres would be introduced in 2024, with wets having already been deployed at this year's Monaco Grand Prix.