Not only the rain, but also a new rule kept the Formula 1 field in the garage during the second free practice in Suzuka. The competitors are grumbling, Pirelli initiates negotiations on the rule change.
71 laps in a single free practice is a productive performance for a team – at the Japanese Grand Prix, however, the entire field produced this much in the second one hour… It was not the first time in F1 that the incoming rain kept the field in the garage, and the spectators watched the cars race instead, they could only watch the raindrops fall.
At the end of the day, the teams lacked the data, and several competitors came forward with the usual criticism that there is not enough rubber for such situations, so their hands are tied.
“I feel sorry for the fans that they didn’t see us go around” said George Russell. “I hope we can find a solution to these circumstances, because this is not the first time something like this has happened, and it won’t be the last.”
His teammate Lewis Hamilton pointed out that a new tire distribution rule is behind the lack of action.
“It’s a shame we didn’t go to training. They changed the tire rules, so no one went out and went on intermediate tires, which makes no sense.”
– he said, while disgruntledly showing the conventional sign of an unhealthy state of mind with his hand…
Oscar Piastri (Photo: XPB)
With this, the seven-time world champion referred to a new rule for 2024, which would have actually aimed to increase the number of rainy sessions. Previously, the practice was that the members of the field received 4 intermediate rain tires and 3 extreme rain tires for the weekend, but in the case of rainy free practice on Friday, they were given an extra set of intermediate tires for the continuation, in case they used such a set on Friday.
This year they have more tires than before: 5 intermediate and 3 extreme sets. However, in the case of Friday’s rainy practice, Pirelli no longer gives anyone extra tires. With this, they achieved that the teams started to save money – which is understandable in light of the fact that, according to some forecasts, there is a chance of rain during the race on Sunday.
Pirelli has already indicated that they are open to reconsidering the relevant rules and will discuss this with the FIA. “This rule change has been voted on by all the teams with the FIA and F1” – recalled Simone Berra, the manufacturer’s chief engineer. “Nowadays, teams don’t have to return intermediate tires after using them in free practice, which was the case last year. On this track, where there is a lot of tire wear and there is a chance of rain on Sunday, most decided to keep their five fresh tyres, apart from RB and the teams who completed an out and in introduction lap.”
“We will discuss this with the FIA and the teams to find a solution for them to run in free practice. It’s not our decision, but it will be a topic in the coming weeks.”
Photo: XPB
According to the expert, the teams could easily be forced to ride in the rain by ordering them to return a set of intermediate tires to Pirelli after training in the rain. “They could keep five sets of tires at the start, but if a session is classified as rain, they should give back a set of intermediate tyres. It wouldn’t make sense to not use it and return it as a new set, so it would motivate them to circulate.” Berra pointed out.
In the meantime, Russell indicated that the current problem could be carried over to the third free practice session on Saturday, even if the weather is dry, where the lack of slick tires could mean a forced break. “I hope the FIA gives permission for everyone to take a set of dry track tires to the third free practice, where normally we don’t do many laps, we just practice for qualifying. That would be good for us and the fans. We hope they use their common sense” – pressured the Brit, who missed Friday’s long stages.
