Most recently died down Russian stage of royal racing «Formula 1». And today we will focus on one component, which directly connects the car, pilot and race track canvas. That is, because of what the scandals broke out, that can be blamed in case of failure and do not even remember winning.
We talk about the formular tires Pirelli, but rather to our questions in the framework of the Grand Prix of Russia said he Hembery Paul — head of Pirelli Motorsport direction. For tire company stage in Sochi proved anniversary — one hundredth!
— It is expected that the Grand Prix will take place on Russian debut P Zero Ultra Soft, why did you decide not to use these tires on a race in Sochi?
— If we had time, we would have come here with an ultra soft tires, but the decision was made three months before the Grand Prix, when there were no specific tests have been carried out.
— Tell us about the plans for next season, which will change in 2017 on the composition of rubber? Will break down the tire before or, on the contrary, their lifespan will increase?
— In 2017, tires will be much wider. Front — 305 mm, rear — 365 mm. We also change the design of the tires. They are less sensitive to temperature. There will be less and less thermal degradation of quality loss. This means that pilots will be able to more «squeeze» out of their cars. You will be able to go much faster with a smaller tire maintenance. We think that because of this will achieve high speeds. We expect that the acceleration will be 4–5 seconds per lap compared to the 2016 year.
— Given that the cars in 2017 is now no more, and they're just in a project, how do you work on new tires?
— Since August 2016 we have to find out what are the cars, and then we will understand the design of the machine. So far, we do tests on the «old» machines. Most of the test runs virtually. First we create the model, and then driven around it in the simulator, without leaving the real track. It's like a super-computer game!
— You are going to use in the «Formula 1» low profile tires? In fireballs «Formula E», for example, low-profile tires.
— No, we do not use low-profile tires on the car, «Formula 1» and does not intend to do so. Nevertheless, we are the largest suppliers of tires in the GT series where it used low-profile tires. With all due respect to the «Formula E», there is sooooo slow machines. They also change over the race car.
— When the tender was announced on tires in F1, Michelin set the conditions that will come in the «Formula 1», will be used if it is low-profile tires. Otherwise, they will not be able to use the technology used in F1, for the production of civilian tires. But you get used to transfer technology from the sport on public roads?
— Technology «Formula-1» multi-level. I talked about simulations and modeling, and what we learn developing tires for competitions, used in the development and normal road tires. Some things are used in the manufacture of, for example, Pirelli P Zero tires. In addition, we are developing materials that are resistant both to wear and to high temperatures, what we are doing, what is going on in the daily practice. This, naturally, does not mean that for conventional tires and road races for the same, they are different.
— To understand the scale of research, tell me, how much data is transmitted to the tires during the race?
— Is going to a huge amount of information. Firstly, we passed all telemetry. The data we use to test and refine our simulation models. Before each race we conduct a simulation of how to behave on the road hurts particular race track. And during the Grand Prix on Friday night, we always check the data obtained in the course of the simulation, so as actually happens. And three days later, we recheck all the information to take into account in the future, all of our work after each race.
— Before each Grand Prix Pirelli conduct special tests. Does this mean that for each step, for each circuit make special tires or there is any one technology?
— All tires the same for the whole season, but the way they are used depends on the route. The most extreme trails — a «Spa» and «Suzuka». Of course, they differ from such tracks as «Sochi», «Monte Carlo» and «Singapore» for example.
— As far as fresh in terms of the production date must be before a race tire?
— Somewhere in the three months from the date of manufacture to use, and can be older, but they should be from 3 to 6 months, no more. This year Pirelli is involved in more than 300 championships in 54 countries around the world, including auto and motorcycle racing. We have four factories, and this year we will produce around 1 million sports tires. So, perhaps, we monopoly leaders in this niche — in the production of sports tires.
— Maybe in the future to use the technology airless tires to avoid punctures?
— Who uses a variety of technologies that help to avoid a puncture. But at the present time there is a balance: if we reduce the risk of a puncture, it reduces the speed performance tires. Furthermore, it increases the temperature inside the tire. If the temperature inside the tire increases, the problem with increased safety. It is very difficult to achieve a balance between the qualities of the tires and the speed performance, and at the same time take into account the safety rules.
— The difference between the rain and intermediate tires is very minimal, but we see that the pilots did not drive in the rain and wait until the track dries. It turns out that the rain tires almost never used, why is this happening?
— Indeed, if the rain is very strong, the pilots did not come out to the track. The main reason — in such circumstances there is little to win, and it's not because of the wet track itself, but because it is very poor visibility. At high speed, the pilot can not see the car in front of him. Our tires can cast 200 liters of water per second. Now imagine, if you face will pour 200 liters of water, in such circumstances, you can drive the car? When we look at the camera installed in the car in heavy rain, then readily come to believe that the driver really can not see anything. To navigate in such circumstances, the riders have to look sideways at the track mark. Intermediate tires are used widely because they are selected or when dries or only when rain starts. The intermediate compound is very difficult to establish, as is half the track wet and half dry. Especially if it is «Spa» or «Silverstone». This is a very large outdoor runs and therefore have to develop tires that work equally well on dry and wet. When we create them, we try to do so that the quality really different from the rain tires.
— While walking through the pit lane, we saw that the tires are kept dressed in special cases, for what it is?
— It heaters, they heat the structure of the tire. In order from the start of races tires were the right temperature and worked properly.
— How much time they need to be warm?
— Two hours at 100 degrees Celsius.
— Would you like to see another representative of the bus in the «Formula 1», a competitor, so to speak?
— Questions about competitors I get every year. But there are a number of facts. Teams do not want to tire were from different manufacturers. In the past, each producer working for any particular team, and if you were not in a particular team, it turned out that you were served worse. In the «Formula 1», the main thing — it's the pilots, race cars, engines. The public does not want to interfere in it's another component. What is most interesting, if somebody loses, it means that the bus fault (laughs). And if someone wins, you never remember about tires.
— What do you do with used tires?
— Each wheel after the race is going to be recycled, it does not matter, it was used or not. We reserve the next race only rain tires. What remains of burned tires — ash — used in the production. Nothing is lost, moreover, the heat which is released during combustion is the production of electricity.
— In the «Formula 1» Pirelli tires can not withstand the full distance of 300 km, they need to change in the course of a race. The usual spectator, sitting in the stands, may think that the technology used in F1, is not very good and and has a negative impact on resources.
— We have been asked, why do you do such tires that should be changed 2–3 times per race. Of course, from the perspective of engineering, we, of course, could produce such tires, which will be the entire distance. We have the whole story in the «Formula 1», and we do it. From next year all will be solved and the pilots of the machine. In 2017, you just see the new Pirelli product and decide, as best as it was or as it became.
With regard to civilian buses, you know, and it is certainly not without reason, 60% of all supercars using Pirelli tires. This Lamborghini, Maserati, Ferrari, Bentley and others.
Photo: Pirelli, Svetlana Parfyonova
