Pirelli to monitor tyre pressures in-race from Monaco

  • Published on 19 May 2016 11:59
  • 7
  • By: Rob Veenstra

F1 is fast-tracking a system whereby Pirelli and the governing FIA can monitor cars' tyre pressures live during a race. Last week, we reported rumours some teams may have found a loophole around Pirelli's controversial minimum tyre pressure rules, with trick wheel rims designed to let out pressure whilst the car is running on track.

Now, it emerges that the sport is fast-tracking a solution, with technology to monitor the pressures during the actual sessions ready to be rolled out in Monaco next weekend. "This is something we were working on for next year," Pirelli Paul Hembery told Britain's Sky in Barcelona. "It's coming a little early now but it's essential from our point of view." (GMM)

Replies (7)

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  • Wolfgang

    Posts: 313

    wondering if the red bulls are as strong as before then..

    • + 0
    • May 19 2016 - 12:14
    • Even if they do this thing it will likely not impact them too much, the Red Bull package is all around strong enough to withstand a blow like this. But it might give an edge to Williams.

      • + 0
      • May 19 2016 - 12:28
    • As long as they don't let too much pressure out and keep the pressure to the minimum that's is allowed, they are still running legal. And they will still have an advantage, since the pressure in the competition's tires will rise during racing anyway.

      • + 0
      • May 19 2016 - 16:25
    • I do believe I've read that any pressureregulating device implemented from the team's side are illegal, no matter how much or how little it does manipulate the pressure. Could be wrong though.

      • + 0
      • May 19 2016 - 21:37
  • reg

    Posts: 162

    Are we sure its just Red Bull, maybe Mercedes have been doing it since last year, after all it was their low pressures that started all of this!

    • + 0
    • May 19 2016 - 12:25
    • Red Bull and Toro Rosso are both believed to use this function. Haas is almost confirmed as innocent (they've struggled severely with the high pressure), and McLaren is also innocent, seeing as they started this whole deal.

      • + 0
      • May 19 2016 - 21:38
  • RacetoWin

    Posts: 95

    I'm not sure how pirelli is getting away with this, they are controlling the sport.

    The regulations had been set and the pirelli request from tire pressure minimums had been declined.

    i've raced on as low as 7 psi, even with magnesium rims and nitrogen you will still gain 3-4 psi when your tire temps get up between 180-220 degrees f. they gain 5-6 psi at 215-235 F. and thats when the graining starts.

    rim pressure bleeders have be around for 30 years developed in nascar, they should be allowed and it could control the tire pressure to 3-4 psi less and it would reduce the tire temps from going into graining.

    17 psi you can work with, 20 psi is like driving on ice.
    10-14 psi is normal race setting psi in 70-90 F. weather.

    this rule has only been put in place recentlly because pirelli have built such a bad tire.

    • + 1
    • May 21 2016 - 04:22

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