The 2022 season has put everyone to the test. 22 races out of the 23 planned at the beginning of the year, 3 weekends sprint, intercontinental transfers just a few days away. The great F1 car has done everything possible to stick to the programs established at the beginning of the season in which everyone, Pirelli included, had to face a series of unpredictability and unknowns linked to the new technical regulation which has upset the hierarchies at the top of the standings, at least, until mid-season.
As the last proof of how much teams, riders have changed during the season in Brazil came the first home victory Mercedes, the only team so far to have achieved success outside of Red Bull e Ferrari, despite the problems resulting from a difficult project to manage. The last act will take place as usual on the Yas Marina course, ad Abu Dhabi A track that underwent changes last season to become the "ring" in the fight for the world title between Max Verstappen e Lewis Hamilton.
Pirelli: "Watch the temperatures"
Pirelli has selected the softest range of compounds for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: C3 for P Zero White hard, C4 for P Zero Yellow medium and C5 for P Zero Red soft.
The track characteristics are not particularly demanding on the tyres. Asphalt is not very abrasive, which is why it is possible to use the softer sets. However, on Sunday you will have to pay attention to the temperatures because the race ends in the evening, when the mercury drops. Yas Marina is a circuit made up of some fast sections and sixteen corners. Aerodynamics is therefore of particular importance, a key aspect for guaranteeing good performance from the cars and optimal management of the tyres.
In 2021 the teams used different strategies. Max Verstappen won his maiden world title with three stops, riding the P Zero Red soft during a safety car intervention five laps from the checkered flag.
The words of Mario Isola
At the end of the weekend, the teams will stay in the United Arab Emirates for a test day in which they will test the tires for the 2023 season, perfected thanks to the track tests carried out in America e Mexico. An intense program that will go beyond the race weekend precisely because of Tuesday's tests, in which new faces will also make their debut. Here are Mario Isola's words for the weekend in Abu Dhabi.
"Abu Dhabi concludes a certainly exciting season in a good way. The curves and straights at Yas Marina, thanks to last year's modifications, speeded up the track, balancing the longitudinal and lateral forces on the tyres, previously put more to the test by traction and braking. Despite the changes to the circuit, attention will be focused on rear wheel management in order to ensure the best traction for the long stints. In Abu Dhabi on Tuesday the teams will be able to test the 2023 tires in a full day of testing where the teams themselves will decide the run plan with regular drivers and young drivers".
Source: Press Pirelli
