Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli has confirmed that its new specification wet tyre will be introduced from this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Pirelli has been working on a new wet tyre construction, focusing on warm-up and performance, following criticism from drivers in previous years.
Several test days were undertaken during the 2022/23 off-season to refine the compound, which will be available from Imola onwards.
The new compound can be fitted to Formula 1 cars without the need for thermal blankets to be used.
Formula 1 is still mooting a tyre blanket ban on all compounds from the 2024 season but drivers have so far been cautious owing to safety concerns.
“A new compound of full wet tyre will be introduced which will not require the use of tyre warmers beforehand,” said Pirelli chief Mario Isola.
“Track tests have shown even better performance than the previous Cinturato Blue full wet, even without the electric heating of the tyre.
“The result of studies carried out by Pirelli, it is the first concrete step towards the use of dry tyres without preheating.”
Formula 1 has yet to feature a rain-affected session in the 2023 season.
Both the 2021 and 2022 races at Imola were influenced by wet weather and current forecasts indicate that showers are due to affect the region throughout the upcoming grand prix weekend.
