World Champion Lewis Hamilton says Formula 1 drivers want to work with Pirelli to ensure the company produces more raceable tyres in 2022.
Pirelli has been Formula 1’s sole tyre supplier since 2011 – a role it will maintain through at least 2023 – and produces tyres in accordance with a target letter agreed by stakeholders.
But Hamilton has become increasingly outspoken about the tyre-dominated nature of grand prix events.
Pirelli’s current tyres are the 2019 specification after the 2020 batch was rejected by all teams following last year’s post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
The tyres are set to be used for a third season in 2021 after plans to introduce 18-inch wheels next year were pushed back 12 months as part of the delays enacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We really need to put a lot of pressure on Pirelli for the future,” said Hamilton.
“They didn’t, unfortunately, do a great job with the tyres at the end of last year to develop the 2020 tyres, and so they had to carry over this tyre, the same tyre for 2019 into this season.
“When they made the target letter the drivers were not a part of this discussion.
“That’s why last year I went to the Concorde meeting in Paris, as part representing the drivers, we want to help them make sure they set the target letter correctly, and it’s not been done right for a long time.”
Hamilton believes neither drivers nor spectators are enthralled by tyre-dictated grands prix and has called on the situation to change when new regulations are introduced for 2022.
“We probably can’t do it for next year, but for 2022 we need a better tyre,” he said.
“We need a tyre that gives us more grip, better safety – a key matter there – and enables us to drive closer to cars and give you guys [media] and the fans better racing.
“Right now we’re having to do a serious amount of management and I don’t think that’s what the fans want. That’s not what a racing driver wants – to have to manage it behind a car multiple seconds behind because the tyres are not good enough.
“We want to help Pirelli to help them make a better tyre if they can.”
Cough MICHELINS!!! cough.