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Suzuka is one of the most
popular circuits on the Formula One calendar, thanks to a thrilling track
layout and some of the most passionate fans on earth. This year, Pirelli
will take the two hardest compounds in the range: the P Zero Orange hard and
P Zero White medium. These are well-suited to the challenging demands of
this famous track, which is located in the middle of Japan near Nagoya.
Suzuka is best known for fast corners such as 130R and Spoon, which have a
notable effect on tyre wear and degradation. Consequently, between two and
three pit stops are expected. The other feature of Japan is its extremely
variable weather, with heavy rainfall a common feature of the weekend. In
2010, qualifying even had to be postponed until Sunday morning because of a
rainstorm. Last year’s race, however, took place in hot conditions with
temperatures that exceeded 30 degrees centigrade – which just goes to
illustrate the unpredictable variety of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Paul Hembery: “Suzuka is one of the circuits where we experience the
highest rates of wear and degradation all year: because of the relatively
abrasive surface and most of all because of the high-energy loadings that
are going through the tyres. That’s why we’ve nominated the two hardest
compounds in our range to take to Suzuka this year. It’s not all about the
fast corners though as there are also some heavy braking areas and tighter
corners. So it’s a high-demand circuit when it comes to lateral energy but
relatively low-demand in terms of traction, because the layout is very
flowing with one corner sequencing into another. Strategy is set to play an
important role once more – this was a two-stop race last year, when we
nominated the soft and the hard compounds – and Suzuka is a circuit that all
the drivers enjoy because of the high speeds. Japan is all about raw speed:
and the tyres we have selected for this weekend should enable the drivers to
showcase that in front of the amazing Japanese fans.”
Jean Alesi: “Japan is one of my favourite circuits and favourite
countries: it has everything. A bit like Spa or Monza, Suzuka is a really
thrilling track for any driver to compete on, as it has a fantastic flow and
so many high-speed corners. But it’s not just that: there is also a
brilliant atmosphere because the Japanese spectators are so enthusiastic and
knowledgeable: they are really crazy for Formula One! I’ve got so many good
memories of Suzuka but if I had to choose one it would be from 1994, when I
was driving for Ferrari. I had a fantastic battle with Nigel Mansell and
ended up on the podium in downpour conditions; Damon Hill won the race. This
is the sort of rain that you can get in Japan from time to time, and that
provides another aspect to the challenge. The choice of the hard and medium
tyres is the best one you can make for Suzuka: there is a lot of energy
going through the tyres, so you expect a lot of wear. Maybe we’ll have two
or three pit stops. My career has taken in many different types of tyre
regulations – from qualifying tyres to grooved tyres – and anything up to
three pit stops is fine, in my view. Beyond three it might start to get
confusing, but that has only happened so far on one or two occasions, which
is a pretty good record.”
The circuit from a tyre point of view:
The flowing nature of the 5.807-kilometre Suzuka track means that it
actually has the lowest traction demand of any circuit all year. But it also
has the highest demand in terms of lateral energy.
The first half of the lap is
essentially a non-stop series of corners. This puts plenty of heat through
the tyres, as there is no significant straight where they can cool down. As
a result, the hottest part of the tyre tread can reach 110 degrees
centigrade. The tyre that is worked hardest is the front-left.
Pit stops at Suzuka carry a relatively low time penalty, due to the short
395-metre pit lane. This allows further flexibility with the race strategy.
Technical tyre notes:
Turn 15 is the fastest corner on the championship, taken at 310kph in
seventh gear. The cars operate at maximum aerodynamic downforce, combined
with a lateral acceleration of 3.1g. This puts the tyre structure through
some of the most strenuous operating conditions seen all year.
High levels of stress on the
tyres can cause blistering if the car is not set up properly. This
phenomenon is the result of localised heat build-up, particularly in the
shoulder of the tyre, as it flexes.
The majority of drivers last
year used a two-stop strategy. Only three chose to start the race on the
harder compound – from a long way down the grid – but this strategy proved
to be useful in boosting their track positions. Sebastian Vettel won from
pole, at a race that was affected by a safety car on the opening lap.
Meet the Pirelli F1 Team: Sam Green, Tyre Technician
Sam has always been into “building and repairing things,” as he puts it, and
in yet another graphic illustration of the variety in the backgrounds of
Pirelli’s people, he even worked in the agricultural sector for a while. The
Englishman had dreamed of working in motorsport for many years, but it was
only when a close friend encouraged him to apply for a job with Pirelli that
he finally achieved it. Sam is based in Didcot, and a large part of his job
consists of receiving deliveries for all the different motorsport categories
that Pirelli is involved in, and making sure that they are despatched to the
correct event. He’s also in charge of checking all the various bits of
equipment that accompanies Pirelli on its odyssey around the world. In
particular, Sam takes responsibility for setting up the radios that are used
by all Pirelli staff on-event, erecting the aerials, and adjusting the radio
repeaters (which relay the signal). Then of course he has to make sure that
each one of the 30 handsets is on the right channel, so that everybody can
talk to everybody else. When the cars are on the track, Sam also takes tyre
temperatures as soon as the cars return to the garage, to help the engineers
build up a picture of how the tyres are performing. Away from work, Sam
enjoys fixing up motorbikes and engines, but his other big passion is
mountain biking. Occasionally the mountain bike comes with him to races,
meaning that he gets the chance to ride in different places all over Europe.
“Of course that involves falling off from time to time, but that’s all part
of the fun!” he explains.
Other news from Pirelli:
Sebastien Ogier may have won the World Rally Championship at the Rallye de
France last weekend, but this was actually his second world title. Ogier won
the Junior World Rally Championship back in 2008 – using Pirelli tyres.
As well as supplying established racing drivers, Pirelli has been busy
creating them. In Great Britain, the tyre firm has hosted a competition
where the winner receives a prize drive in a Mini Challenge race: a national
championship for the iconic brand that runs on Pirelli control tyres.
Pirelli also supplies run-flat road tyres to Mini as original equipment.
The Geneva Boat Show takes place this week, with Pirelli showing the new P
Zero 1100 luxury dinghy. The 10-metre dinghy – which also comes with an
optional hard top – places the emphasis firmly on sporting performance, and
is capable of putting out 320 horsepower. |
