Lewis Hamilton and FIA seem to be in yet another tussle, as the governing body is eyeing to impose another ban on Formula 1. According to the reports, the FIA, 10 F1 teams, and F1 management are set to hold voting to impose a ban on the tire blankets.
The role of the blankets on an F1 car is to keep them warm ahead and during the session to optimize their performance to the maximum. It’s not the first time the governing body has tried outlawing tire blankets based on cost and sustainability.
But it has been a complicated issue, as the warm enhances performance and gives the drivers a better grip. Non-pre-heated tires often have to go through the need to overcome dramatic changes in temperature and pressure, which is a complicated process.
Hence, most drivers are already against the ban due to safety concerns. Amidst this, Hamilton comes strongly against FIA for banning such a vital component without a better replacement.
#F1‘s plans to ban tyre blankets from 2024 will have a final vote involving teams, the FIA & FOM after this year’s British GP in July. pic.twitter.com/Wj3bNhffFX
— The F1 Journal (@thef1journal_) February 24, 2023
Also read: $7 Million Fine Won’t Stop Max Verstappen From Winning 3rd Title Claims F1 Journalist
Lewis Hamilton calls out FIA ban dangerous and pointless
Hamilton claims that he has tested without the blankets and concluded that sometime in the future, it could result in something bad. Thus, he believes the governing body is taking a dangerous step.
“I think it’s dangerous,” he said when asked by Motorsport.com about the tyre blanket situation. “I’ve tested the no blankets, and there is going to be an incident at some stage. So, I think it is the wrong decision.”
Hamilton also contests FIA’s logic to go more sustainable by banning blankets. He thinks that to make tires work. Drivers must give in more laps to get them in the ideal state. Thus, they’ll only burn more fuel, which will undo FIA’s logic.
It could get fatal
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz also supports Hamilton’s argument. He claims it would feel like the car is skating without the tires warming up. Hence, the driver with no control over the car wouldn’t only harm themselves but the other people too, who might have a better grip, by colliding with them.
Sainz fails to understand the philosophy behind the proposed ban. He thinks if drivers end up burning more fuel, then this act is done for safety is redundant.
Mick Schumacher will miss the Saudi Arabian GP after a huge accident in qualifying.
That Mick is physically well after the crash is another reminder of the strength and safety of modern F1 cars for which we are incredibly thankful#SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/qhLcw0elb7
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 26, 2022
Meanwhile, Pirelli’s F1 and motorsport director Mario Isola gave a diplomatic say when he said this change shouldn’t be done for sustainability alone. He argues that going without blankets is not an impossible challenge but a big challenge.
Also read: F1 Testing Day 3 Results: Pre-season Testing Result After Day 3 Session 1
