F1 teams set to meet with FIA and Pirelli over switch back to 2018 tyres
F1 News
Formula 1 teams are set to meet up with the FIA and Pirelli to discuss the possibility of returning to the 2018 tyre compounds for the rest of the season. It seems that most teams would support changing back to the old tyres as it seems to be only Mercedes who have made the tyres work for them so far this year. It is thought that teams have already spoken in private but this meeting will be an official one with the powers that be.
This season Pirelli made their tyres with a thinner tread to try and fix the issues that they faced in 2018 with blistering and overheating. The change has left many teams unable to get the tyres in the right window, meaning that they have been unable to perform at their optimum.
The change suited Mercedes as they had always struggled with their tyres overheating and this means that this year their advantage is even more notable.
Rules state that 7 of the 10 teams need to agree to the change for it to be implemented. If the vote goes through then it is thought that the change will be implemented at the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of the summer.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is against the midseason change and will vote against the change.
"It's pretty logical that the ones that will feel that they haven't understood the tyre properly will try to trigger a change in the tyre," he said to Autosport.
"My sportsman approach is that I don't think F1 should change the rules because some are doing better than others."
It will be interesting to see if the tyres are changed and how the teams vote and whether Mercedes will be able to get the teams they supply to vote against the motion.