Unlike the 2019 season, Pirelli will no longer test the 2021 F1 tyres during Grand Prix weekends.
Pirelli boss for F1, Mario Isola has commented that testing tyres on race weekends is not appropriate. The 18 inch tyres for the 2021 season will still be tested, but not during Grand Prix weekends.
Isola was quoted as saying:
"But if we have to test a completely new tyre, that's probably the wrong way,"
via Motorsport-total
He reasoned that the conditions during Friday practise are far from perfect to test a brand new tyre. Drivers usually face a ‘green track’ when they first head out for Friday practice during a Grand Prix weekend. It essentially means a circuit that hasn’t had much rubber laid down onto it yet, and is therefore not providing optimum grip in the dry. Isola believes that the conditions aren't perfect during Friday practice with the track remaining green. He also thinks the teams have too much on their minds to deal with new tyres for long enough.
See Also: Pirelli: F2 18 Inch Tyres Equal To 13 Inch Tyres In Performance
"If they are focused on their race weekend, they have to adjust the car for the weekend and sometimes test new parts. Moreover, the track is always evolving. So if we want to make a comparison between the new tire and the starting point, that is to practice a lot for three hours.
They can adjust the car, we can make real comparisons. Long runs, short runs, different circumstances, crashes, pressure and other things."
Image Credit : F1.com
