The post-season testing session on the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi marks Method 1’s closing day on observe in 2024. Past giving younger drivers the chance to hit the observe and acquire some expertise, this check supplies groups and Pirelli with a superb alternative to collect beneficial knowledge and insights on subsequent season’s Pirelli tires.
Whereas one automobile is devoted to rookies or drivers primarily working in simulators throughout the season, utilizing 2024 tires, the opposite automobile is already fitted with 2025 tires. For groups, it is a nice probability to gather essential knowledge on subsequent yr’s tires, which embrace a wider vary of compounds past these examined just a few weeks in the past in Mexico.
In Mexico Metropolis, groups participated in a session throughout the second free observe session completely targeted on knowledge assortment for Pirelli, testing a single compound sort in its 2024 and 2025 variations. For instance, some groups had been restricted to the C4 compound in each variations for comparability, whereas others examined C3, C5, or C6.
Moreover, as per Pirelli’s request, no setup adjustments had been allowed that would skew the info. Whereas this made the insights vital, they had been additionally restricted. Furthermore, the compounds examined throughout that session weren’t but the homologated variations for the next yr.
In distinction, in Abu Dhabi, groups had better freedom in utilizing the tires. They weren’t restricted to a single compound however had entry to a broader vary of choices. Groups had 5 completely different compounds, from C2 to C6, with the latter being the brand new addition for 2025.
Nevertheless, groups had restricted units of C2 and C6 tires since these compounds weren’t notably appropriate for this observe: the previous is just too laborious and struggles to supply enough grip, whereas the latter is just too comfortable and can’t final a full lap, as seen in Mexico Metropolis. Nonetheless, the Italian producer wished to present groups the chance to collect some knowledge and keep away from beginning the 2025 checks with none reference factors. Simone Berra, Pirelli’s F1 Chief Engineer, acknowledged that the corporate aimed to supply groups with the chance to run and collect knowledge on the C2 and C6 compounds. Nevertheless, he indicated that groups had been anticipated to focus extra on the C3, thought-about the baseline compound, in addition to the C4 and C5.
In a Method 1 season that, as proven this yr, has been extremely depending on groups’ skill to optimize tire utilization for each single laps and race stints, these checks supply a beneficial alternative to enhance predictive fashions and collect new knowledge for simulators throughout the winter break. Past adjustments to the compounds themselves, Pirelli has additionally modified the tire buildings to deal with the a great deal of the 2025 vehicles, making every bit of information important for making ready for the upcoming season.
Simone Berra emphasised the significance of the checks, noting that they supply groups with their first alternative to make use of the brand new homologated tires. He defined that this additionally marks the preliminary probability to gather knowledge, which will probably be analyzed to refine simulations and fashions for the next yr’s automobile.
For Pirelli, too, this check day is a superb probability to achieve a clearer understanding of the potential tire efficiency for subsequent yr. In the course of the season, the Italian producer carried out a number of check classes with groups and trialed completely different compounds and constructions. To provide an thought, throughout the Suzuka check after the Japanese GP, 12 completely different tires had been examined.
Subsequently, past the references obtained within the latter a part of the season and throughout the observe session in Mexico, the post-season Abu Dhabi session additionally represents an excellent alternative for Pirelli to have a clearer image of efficiency variations throughout compounds for single laps.
Simone Berra highlighted the importance of the check, noting that regardless of conducting checks all through the season and experimenting with numerous constructions and compounds, there had been restricted alternatives to completely consider efficiency variations in lap occasions between the completely different compounds.
That is notably vital for the softer compounds, as Pirelli might contemplate skipping compounds in particular conditions—an idea that has by no means been totally deserted. Pirelli’s F1 Chief Engineer identified that whereas they’d gathered in depth data, it had not been collected utilizing homologated tires on a single observe with a number of vehicles. He defined that this check supplied the primary alternative to acquire references with no less than 5 of the six compounds within the full vary. He famous that understanding the efficiency delta can be beneficial, as inner knowledge assortment was supplemented by the extra insights gained from on-track testing with ten groups.
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