AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Hamilton Challenges Pirelli for Better Rain Tires as Brazil GP Qualifying Postponed Due to Deluge

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Hamilton Challenges Pirelli for Better Rain Tires as Brazil GP Qualifying Postponed Due to Deluge

Formula One F1 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil - November 3, 2024 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during qualifying REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

F1’s Seven-Time Champ Pushes for Upgraded Wet Compounds as Rain Disrupts Qualifying in São Paulo

The recent delay of Formula 1 qualifying at São Paulo’s Interlagos circuit has reignited concerns over Pirelli’s rain tires, with Lewis Hamilton calling for an overhaul of the wet-weather compounds. Torrential rain caused standing water across the track on Saturday, ultimately forcing a delay and pushing qualifying to early Sunday morning. This disruption has highlighted issues with F1’s rain tires, as the session could not proceed safely even after extensive water-clearing efforts by marshals.

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali addressed fans during the delay, apologizing for the postponement and emphasizing safety concerns. Hamilton interrupted, lightheartedly yet pointedly telling Domenicali, “If you give us better wet tires or blankets, we’d be able to run in this. I’m putting you on the spot right now.” Hamilton’s remarks echoed the long-standing criticism from drivers that Pirelli’s wet compounds are underperforming, especially in extreme conditions.

Pirelli’s Motorsports Chief Mario Isola acknowledged the need for improvements, citing development challenges and a lack of rigorous testing on high-severity circuits. “It is true that we need to improve the performance of the wet tire to generate a proper crossover with the intermediate,” Isola explained, adding that tweaks to the tread pattern, construction, and compound are in progress. “We found an improvement. I cannot tell you if it is enough or not.”

Currently, the full wet tire is seldom favored, as Pirelli’s intermediate compound performs better in most wet conditions. However, once weather intensifies to the point where intermediates aren’t suitable, F1 cars often cannot run at all—a frustrating dynamic for both fans and drivers.

Isola defended the safety-based decision to postpone qualifying, explaining, “If it’s just performance [on the wet tire], it means that they go slower, that’s all.” But with standing water, visibility issues, and the risk of aquaplaning, safety was paramount. He pointed out that even controlled tests have proven difficult, as Mercedes’ recent wet-weather testing at Magny-Cours was limited by overly wet conditions.

To facilitate better wet tire development, Pirelli has explored alternative test sites like Fiorano and Paul Ricard, both of which are equipped with sprinklers to simulate rain. These tests aim to gather essential data, but F1’s unique racing demands mean improvements are gradual.

With the next-generation wet compounds expected next season, Hamilton’s comments spotlight the urgency for progress, as F1 grapples with the challenge of ensuring racing goes on, rain or shine.

Tags: F1Fórmula 1Lewis Hamilton
Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Lando Norris’ Reckless Move Sparks Fury in Oscar Piastri: McLaren Tensions Erupt!
Motorsports

Lando Norris’ Reckless Move Sparks Fury in Oscar Piastri: McLaren Tensions Erupt!

Formula One F1 - Dutch Grand Prix - Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands - August 30, 2025 Second placed McLaren's Lando...

by James Taylor
October 15, 2025
George Russell Launches Explosive Media War Against Max Verstappen: The Dramatic Feud Unveiled!
Motorsports

George Russell Launches Explosive Media War Against Max Verstappen: The Dramatic Feud Unveiled!

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by Simon Monroy
October 15, 2025
F1 USA Grand Prix: High-Stakes Strategies and Unpredictable Showdowns at Circuit of the Americas!
Motorsports

F1 USA Grand Prix: High-Stakes Strategies and Unpredictable Showdowns at Circuit of the Americas!

F1 USA Grand Prix: Strategy and Uncertainty Loom at Circuit of the Americas The Formula 1 circus returns to the...

by Harry Stone
October 15, 2025
Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari Future in Jeopardy as Engineers Fume Over Brutal Criticism
Motorsports

Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari Future in Jeopardy as Engineers Fume Over Brutal Criticism

Antonin Vincent

by Redação
October 15, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News

Lando Norris’ Reckless Move Sparks Fury in Oscar Piastri: McLaren Tensions Erupt!

Lando Norris’ Reckless Move Sparks Fury in Oscar Piastri: McLaren Tensions Erupt!

October 15, 2025
George Russell Launches Explosive Media War Against Max Verstappen: The Dramatic Feud Unveiled!

George Russell Launches Explosive Media War Against Max Verstappen: The Dramatic Feud Unveiled!

October 15, 2025
F1 USA Grand Prix: High-Stakes Strategies and Unpredictable Showdowns at Circuit of the Americas!

F1 USA Grand Prix: High-Stakes Strategies and Unpredictable Showdowns at Circuit of the Americas!

October 15, 2025
Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari Future in Jeopardy as Engineers Fume Over Brutal Criticism

Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari Future in Jeopardy as Engineers Fume Over Brutal Criticism

October 15, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.