F1 to Introduce Game-Changing Wet Tyres at 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix After Complaints

The F1 Commission has approved the introduction of a new wet weather tyre from the sixth round of the 2023 F1 season at Imola.

The latest F1/FIA statement confirmed the new specification was ratified following successful testing by Pirelli, and that the teams supported the new tyre. Unlike previous iterations, this tyre type doesn't require the use of blankets to keep it heated, and it's expected to perform better than its predecessor.

Several teams conducted dedicated wet weather test sessions over the winter, leading to the development of the new specification, which was originally planned for introduction in 2024 when blankets are due to be banned for both wet and dry tyres. Wet conditions, and especially visibility, have been a significant talking point in recent years, following several controversial races, such as the 2021 Belgian GP.

The F1 Commission has also confirmed that the new wet weather package project, which involves cars fitted with wheel arches designed to reduce spray, will be tested on the track in the middle of this season.

The FIA has already conducted its research, but the teams have now been officially authorised to perform wind tunnel and CFD work to evaluate the impact of the arches outside of the aerodynamic testing restrictions and the cost cap.

The statement noted:

“Additionally the FIA is grateful for the offers of support made by the teams for the wet weather package project, as presented in the last F1 Commission meeting.

"A technical directive is being prepared to allow teams to do such work outside the aerodynamic testing restriction (ATR) limits and outside the cost cap. Track testing will be planned for the second or third quarter of 2023."

Nikolas Tombazis spoke about the project at the end of 2022. He explained:

"We only think it’s going to be something that gets used on a couple of occasions a year, maybe three, that sort of thing.

"We don’t want it to be that every time there’s a drop of rain, then suddenly you have to fit these things.

"We have done a lot of CFD simulations, because we want to make sure the effect of these devices is relatively small on the overall aerodynamics. There still is an effect, but not a massive one.

"Also, we are simulating the droplets of the rain and so on, and seeing how it affects spray. What is a bit of a challenge in the simulations is to determine the relative proportion of what comes from the diffuser to what comes from the tyres.

"Once we have a solution, we’ll get to do some prototypes and run them on some cars to try and evaluate that properly."