F1 News: Lewis Hamilton Slams Pirelli - Tire Manufacturer Responds

Lewis Hamilton has expressed his dissatisfaction with the new tire regulations at the Japanese Grand Prix, prompting a detailed response from Pirelli. The changes have sparked a debate after a rainy FP2.

Key Takeaways

• Starting in 2024, F1 teams are allocated five sets of intermediate tires for a race weekend, eliminating the additional set previously awarded for usage on Fridays.
• Lewis Hamilton criticised the rule change after a rain-affected practice session in Japan, arguing it restricted valuable track time.
• Pirelli explained the decision was agreed upon by teams, the FIA, and Formula 1, aiming to conserve tire sets for races expected to experience wet conditions.

The Formula 1 circus found itself embroiled in a fresh controversy this weekend at Suzuka, as the revised tire regulations took centre stage. In an effort to streamline the allocation of intermediate tires, the governing bodies have introduced a new rule for the 2024 season. Teams will now start with five sets of intermediates, a move away from the previous arrangement that saw an extra set provided if the compound was used on Friday. This shift was met with open criticism from Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who found the change counterintuitive, especially after a rain-drenched session saw limited track action.

Hamilton's frustration was palpable as he addressed the media. 

"They changed the tire rules, so no one could do runs on the intermediates. It really doesn't make any sense," lamented the seven-time world champion.

In response to the uproar, Pirelli's chief engineer, Simone Berra, stepped forward to clarify the rationale behind the decision. According to Berra, the adjustment was a collective resolution, endorsed by the teams in conjunction with the FIA and Formula 1 leadership. 

"The adjustment for an extra set of intermediates was discussed in the winter. The discussion started for the weekends with sprint races and it was also applied for the normal races," Berra said. "This was approved by the teams together with the FIA ​​and Formula 1 itself. And so the teams no longer have to hand in a set of intermediates to us after Friday like last year.

"And especially on this circuit, where the asphalt is aggressive for the tires and the fact that it could rain on Sunday, many teams have decided to keep the five sets. That is something we will discuss further with FIA and of course with the teams, to try to find a way to let them ride during the free practice sessions. But ultimately it is not our decision. In the coming weeks it will be a topic of discussion."

Trying to remedy the situation, he continued:

"You can keep the five sets from the start, but we can say that if a session is declared wet, you have to give up one set of the intermediates. In that case they can use that set and return it again. There is no point in keeping that not to use it and to hand in a new set. So that could be a way to encourage them to drive. It is an open discussion," he finished.