Pirelli's change is going to cause problems: 'They don't have that luxury'
- GPblog.com
This year's winter test will be held in Bahrain, and with only three days, the teams will hardly have time to test properly. According to Peter Windsor, this could cause problems.
The Formula One season was supposed to be back to 'normal', but with a postponed Australian Grand Prix and the winter test in Bahrain, it is not so normal after all. In addition, the winter test is very short this year to save costs, but with last-minute tyres from Pirelli, that is not an ideal situation.
New tyres from Pirelli
''The teams agreed with this before Pirelli decided to modify those tyres. They want to make those tyres a bit stronger, but that has a huge effect on wear, how the tyres wear out and the dynamics of the car. Normally a team would spend two days on those new tyres, but the teams don't have that luxury now'', Windsor says in his new video.
''For McLaren-Mercedes, this is the worst moment. McLaren has a new engine, a new rear of the car and probably the front of the car is new as well. You have three days to get that ready for the season and that is too little. Ferrari is also reportedly coming with a new engine, and they will also need time to prepare it for the start of the season.''
The problem for the Rookies
The former team manager is also worried about the 'Rookies'. Testing is limited in Formula 1 these days, so Nikita Mazepin, Yuki Tsunoda and Mick Schumacher join the team with little experience. Add to that the fact that the testing schedule is not ideal either.
''Normally we race in the evening of Bahrain, but the test is all day. So the morning is in enormous heat and not the same as a race weekend. So you lose half a day there as well, and then 'Rookies' only have one day to really get to know the car'', concludes Windsor.