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Abiteboul understands concerns at Pirelli: ''It's difficult as a supplier in F1''

Abiteboul understands concerns at Pirelli: ''It's difficult as a supplier in F1''

18-06-2020 12:28

GPblog.com

Pirelli will have to go through a year longer with the tyres of 2019, which now have to be used in 2020 and 2021 because the rules of 2021 have been shifted to 2022. A big job for the Italians, where Formula 1 is going to help.

Worries at Pirelli

Pirelli's 2019 13-inch tyres will be used in 2020 and would go into their final year. In 2021 the 18-inch tyres had to be introduced, in cooperation with the new aerodynamic regulations. However, the latter has been suspended for a year, which means that Pirelli has to supply the same tyres for another year. However, there was now the fear that the tyres would not be able to cope with the extra downforce of the 2021 cars and the F1 had to adjust a bit.

To this end, it was decided to simplify the base plate of the F1 cars in 2021. These now need to be completely flat so that no aerodynamic advantage can be gained from this area. Cyril Abiteboul does have a soft spot for Pirelli and thinks F1 should adapt to the wishes of the tyre supplier.

Problems of the supplier

''I've been an engine supplier and therefore I know what the problems are as a Formula 1 supplier. Everything is asked and expected of you, but sometimes it is better to stabilize the rules so that Pirelli can just do their job well," says the team boss of Renault to Motorsport.com.

''We need to look at the consequences of our decision to postpone the regulations. We must now give Pirelli time to develop a good product for 2022 based on the right data. The sport is constantly in motion and we have to watch it constantly. For now, however, as teams we have to be on the same track and give clarity to Pirelli what we want for 2022'', concludes Abiteboul.