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Lewis Hamilton says the Pirelli tyres being used in 2020 are “way too inflated” and asks for “better tyres” in 2021.
Formula 1 teams tested the new 2020 tyres proposed by Pirelli in the post-season test in December. However, they unanimously rejected the new compounds and so 2019 tyres will be used again in 2020. However, the step forward in performance of 2020 cars requires increased tyre pressure. Lewis Hamilton is not completely satisfied with this solution.
“They brought 2020 tyres, which were worse,” the Briton explained.
“It’s easier for us to go into another season with the same tyres.
“The fact that they pump them up more isn’t so great because they looked fine last year, but they’re definitely way too inflated.
“I think we just need to make sure that we always want to be working with the best technology, the best technology partners moving forwards.
“We’re just going to keep on pushing them to try to do better, and these tyres will be OK for this year.”
However, Hamilton says it’s very important to produce “better” tyres for 2021, as the sport aims to improve the quality of racing.
“The race is what needs to improve. Reduce aero and give us better tyres. That’s a very, very important line there: we need better tyres.
“We’ve been talking for years and years and years and years about tyre degradation, thermal degradation, and we sat in the meeting room with Pirelli in Brazil and they had never heard of the thermal degradation. They said, ‘This is the first we hear about it!’
“We’re trying to communicate with them better. The target letter, I don’t know who’s written it this year but they obviously didn’t do a good job for the 2020 tyres.
“But I hope for 2021 that we have a better target and one that they’re able to meet or a manufacturer is able to meet,” concluded Hamilton.
Source: motorsport.com
