F1 News: Qualifying Under Threat If This Change Is Made

Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle expresses concern that the thrilling tyre-related strategy plays observed in the Canada Grand Prix qualifying may become a thing of the past if tyre blankets are removed.

Formula 1's ongoing green initiative has already seen the introduction of an unheated full-wet Pirelli tyre at Monaco, and plans are in the works to eliminate tyre blankets altogether by 2024. The anticipated changes, however, are causing ripples of concern amongst drivers and team personnel, predominantly due to safety and strategic implications.

In his recent Sky Sports F1 column, Brundle recounted the gripping Q2 session in Canada, where fluctuating rain conditions offered a fleeting opportunity for drivers to switch to dry tyres. For some like Williams’ Alex Albon, the gamble was a spectacular success as he led the session, while others like Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc found themselves eliminated, having missed the narrow window. Having the mixed starting grid only added to the excitement of the race on Sunday.

“The Montreal circuit usually throws up some special challenges, not least because it’s slippery, bumpy, fast in places, and lined with walls and high kerbs. And the weather can be challenging,” penned Brundle.

“A wet, albeit temporarily almost dry, qualifying served up some thrills and surprises for a nicely scrambled grid. There was a two-lap window to fit dry tyres in Q2 which the likes of Alex Albon in his Williams and a few of the other usual suspects anticipated well, but Sergio Perez in his Red Bull and Charles Leclerc in his Ferrari simply did not.

However, with tyre blankets on the chopping block, Brundle questions whether this eco-friendly move would inadvertently quash such strategic risk-taking. He doubts that current F1 drivers would be willing to put their machines through a lap on cold, dry tyres under similar conditions. Also, he argues that the environmental impact of tyre blankets might not be as significant as the additional fuel consumed for tyre warm-up laps.

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