F1 is trying to get rid of the tire blankets from the sport, and as a result, Pirelli is working towards developing a new tire compound that can work without pre-heating. However, Fernando Alonso, who has driven in the IndyCar series, where tire warmers are not used, has recently spoken out against the ban on tire blankets.
Even though it was decided initially that the ban would come into effect from the 2024 season onwards, the decision was put on hold in February. As of now, the FIA can still go ahead with the ban but they will have to put the decision to vote before the end of July. If less than five teams agree or if the vote does not happen, then the tire blankets will be in use next season.
💭 What are your thoughts on the proposed tyre blanket ban for 2024?
There’ll be a vote later this year on the topic… and as you can see, some drivers aren’t too fond of the idea. pic.twitter.com/LF056maSAT
— The Race (@wearetherace) March 3, 2023
FIA is trying its best to reason with teams about their decision to ban the tire blankets. Pirelli has also backed them up, with their chief engineer recently claiming that the new compounds that are being developed are completely safe for racing. It would only take the drivers a change in their driving styles for the tires to work.
Fernando Alonso compares Indy 500 regulations with F1
Fernando Alonso has offered his own take on this particular issue. Based on all the experience that he has gained while racing in the IndyCar series in the US, the Spaniard does not believe that the tire blanket ban is the best option at the moment.
Alonso took part in two Indianapolis 500 races over the span of three years. The cars used for the Indy 500 races do not have tire blankets to warm up their tires. However, Alonso explained that the regulations used in the Indy 500 cannot be compared to that of F1, because of the major differences in the track configurations.
5️⃣ years since “Yenson my friend” became a meme 🤣#OnThisDay in 2017, Jenson Button stood in at McLaren as Fernando Alonso made his Indy 500 debut, and we got to enjoy an iconic team radio 🗣️📻
#F1 #Indy500 #Button #Alonso #Motorsport pic.twitter.com/nlYvKkTnlR— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) May 28, 2022
Alonso explained, “At Indy, I think you put a lot of energy into the tires immediately, and then it’s fine. But at circuits like Monaco, or some others?” He concluded his argument by saying that he is not a big fan of the tire blanket ban. “I don’t see the reason to do it,” said Alonso.
Drivers and engineers come together against the tire blanket ban
It is not just drivers who have spoken out against the tire blanket ban in F1. Many top engineers have also shown concern regarding the issue.
Andrew Shovlin, the engineering director of Mercedes, recently spoke out against this. He explained that if tire blankets are to be banned, then Pirelli must be quick to develop new tire compounds that can work at lower temperatures.
Hamilton on a tyre blanket ban:
“It’s dangerous. I’ve tested it & there’s going to be an incident at some stage. So, its the wrong decision. You have to drive multiple laps to get the tyres to work.” #F1
— AnythingF1 (@AnythingF1_) February 25, 2023
He explained further that racing without tire blankets is possible. However, it will lead to a reduction in quality of racing as drivers won’t be able to push to the limit. And if the drivers do try pushing, it would lead to significant loss in grip, and very high tire pressures.
There is a lot of discussion to be had before the FIA can go ahead with their plans of changing the tire regulations. Pirelli has to conduct even more test sessions in a wide variety of conditions. That is if they want to convince all the stakeholders that the tire blanket ban would actually work in F1.
