Pirelli’s boss Mario Isola, the tyres manufacturer for Formula 1, is seeking for expert input for next year product. It has asked different teams and drivers for their expert opinion so that they could improve their products for next year’s Formula 1 season.
The company has been under fire as various teams and drivers criticized their product lot for 2018 season. They have been unhappy with the degradation rate and have been demanding high-degradation tyres.
Pirelli tyres had pushed various teams at multiple occasion for extreme tyre management. Various teams and drivers have complained about their overheating and blistering issues for its 2018 softer compound tyres, which pushed the team for feedback mechanism from the teams and drivers.
Mario Isola, Pirelli F1 boss, has pushed for this initiative after joining Grand Prix driver association that FIA must include teams and drivers for compound selection before each race.
The selection process has been traditionally handled by Pirelli, which had been dictating FIA about compound selection for each race.
“For the selection we are trying to involve the teams and drivers,” said Isola.
“We would like the expert opinion, it will be a bit more complicated but we will try to do our best to make the best selection.”
Isola explained that Pirelli is not working to change F1 working grounds but it wanted a better experience for its customers, which is why it has asked for their input.
He also said that the company won’t be dictated by specific agendas because the process will involve FIA and F1 bosses which will not provide infinite possibilities to solutions according to wish list.
“It’s interesting to see if we involve teams and drivers, if we have a trend,” said Isola.
“We will have different feedback but my question was not just ‘give me feedback on what you believe is the best choice’, but also, ‘why?’.
“If you’re Team A and say, ‘For Australia I suggest compounds 2/3/4’, tell me the reason behind that.
“Is it because you believe you’re stronger, or have more strategies, or what?
“I hope to have the feedback. It is not an obligation. Just a way to work together and see the result.”
