Source: Mercedes-Benz Archive

F1 News

Bottas: Drivers completely cruising because of tyre fears

Bottas: Drivers completely cruising because of tyre fears

16-10-2018 11:35
Author profile picture

Bobby Vincent

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas has claimed that Formula One drivers have been "completely crusing round", due to the tyre issues.

Blistering in the car's tyres is not a new issue at all for the sport, but this season, it has been even more evident - with numerous drivers complaining about the issue with their tyres.

Pirelli, the official tyre supplier for F1, introduced new softer compounds for the start of the current season, as well as the inclusion of hypersofts and Bottas is hoping that work is going on to try and solve the blistering problem.

"We have to do a lot of management at pretty much every race this season and especially at the last few there have been issues with the blistering," Bottas told Motorsport.com.

"Once we are getting to a certain temperature, we know it's going to happen at some point, so then we're just not pushing to go over those temperatures and trying to manage.

"At some places, when it's hot, in a high-energy track laterally, it's pretty difficult and it does feel at times that you are completely cruising round, which is not ideal.

"You know there's so much potential in these cars and my thinking is if you do one-stop pushing flat out it would be more fun, but that's the issue for everyone now. I was involved in some of the testing for next year's tyres a couple of weeks ago and I'm sure they are pushing flat out and hopefully it's going to be a bit better."