Pirelli Left Perplexed by C6 Tyre Struggles at Imola GP Qualifying
Pirelli’s new C6 tyre made its debut at the Imola Grand Prix, but its performance left both teams and the tyre supplier scratching their heads. Drivers struggled to extract optimal times from the new soft compound during qualifying, with many opting for the C5 medium tyre instead.
Confusion Surrounding the C6 Tyre
Pirelli’s motorsport manager, Mario Isola, expressed surprise at the C6’s poor performance, stating that the reasons for its struggles were still unclear. “After Friday’s practice sessions, the feedback was reasonably positive,” Isola noted. However, the narrative shifted dramatically on Saturday, as drivers reported unexpected understeer issues that compromised their lap times.
The Switch to C5 Tyres
Both Aston Martin drivers and Mercedes‘ George Russell set their best qualifying times on the C5 tyre, a stark contrast to the anticipated performance of the C6. The team strategised accordingly, leading Russell to venture out on C5s for his final Q3 attempt, sacrificing tyre selection for the race.
Disappointing Drop-off in Performance
Pirelli’s initial projections indicated that the C6 could deliver a time advantage of up to half a second per lap compared to the C5. Yet, as teams pushed their limits, the C6’s performance faltered, proving to be less predictable and consistent. Intriguingly, many drivers found that used C6 tyres yielded better lap times than fresh ones, attributed to a more accessible grip curve.
The Understeer Riddle
The prevailing issue of understeer baffled teams and Pirelli alike. Despite dropping the minimum rear tyre pressure, which typically helps balance the car, teams reported additional understeer when compared to Friday’s conditions. “We didn’t have any rain or strange elements overnight, but the track seemed slower today,” Isola said.
Consistent Conditions, Inconsistent Performance
While weather conditions were stable, the change in track performance raised eyebrows. Isola confirmed that conditions, including engine power modes, were not responsible for the marked difference in understeer — pointing towards potentially undiscovered factors influencing driver feedback.
Looking Ahead: Pirelli’s Strategy
Despite the setbacks at Imola, Pirelli remains committed to rolling out the C6 in future races. With the current tyre family homologated for the entire year, the focus now shifts to optimising performance with existing compounds, aiming to encourage varied race strategies while minimising reliance on one-stop strategies.
This puzzling performance will undoubtedly lead to extensive analysis ahead of the next race, as both teams and Pirelli seek to uncover the underlying causes of the C6’s unexpected challenges.