La Formula One restarts from Belgian Grand Prix. There is no shortage of innovations on the Spa Francorchamps track, starting with the range Pirelli which selects for the compounds C2,C3 and C4.
THE TIRES ON THE TRACK
- The three central compounds of the range were selected for Spa. C2 was chosen as P Zero White hard, C3 as P Zero Yellow medium and C4 as P Zero Red soft.
- The asphalt is new between turns 2 and 4, and between turns 8 and 9. The bumps have been smoothed out and the grip has improved.
- Gravel, which contains sharp stones, has been added near the track at turns 1, 6, 7 and 9. There are also some sharp edges near the concrete curbs.
- With its particularly high lateral loads, Spa is one of the most demanding circuits of the year for tires. The famed Eau Rouge-Raidillon is just one of the areas where the tires are subjected to a variety of forces: as they have to corner, they are pressed into the tarmac by downforce and compression.
- Variable weather is a hallmark of Spa: seeing the Cinturato Green intermediate or the Cinturato Blue full wet on the track is a real possibility.
Pirelli, Isola: "Important changes, but Spa is magical"
Obviously the words of the head of motorsport technical area of Pirelli, Mario Island:
“The changes to the Spa layout made this year are among the most significant that have ever been made in the Formula 1 era. However, we do have some clues to predicting what to expect, thanks to last month's 24 Hours – the our biggest event in terms of the amount of people and tires – and thanks to some asphalt samples we took from the track. Five corners have been resurfaced, and gravel run-off areas have been added to four corners, which are now much closer to the track limit. Drivers will have to pay more attention to track limits and sharp fragments of gravel that could end up on the track. In any case, the Epic of a circuit like Spa has remained intact, and all the challenges that have always made it so fascinating are still in place”.
SOURCE: Pirelli F1 Media
