Tyres play big role in success of 2022: 'Otherwise even harder to overtake'

Pirelli is going from 13 to 18-inch tires, partly thanks to the new car. We saw these tyres in action earlier this year. According to Ed Straw these tyres might play an even more important role than the aerodynamic changes. This he writes in an extensive article on the site of The Race.

"If tyre overheating problems are reduced, drivers will be able to push harder and also suffer less when chasing a rival because the temperature spikes as the tyre slides across the track surface will be mitigated. If this goal is not achieved, then overheating problems will make overtaking more difficult, even though aerodynamic turbulence is reduced by the new rules."

Success of new tyres crucial

According to Straw, there is plenty of reason to think it could be a success, but only time will tell if this will actually be the case.

"There are good reasons to expect the tyres to be a big step forward next year. The lower-profile tyres will be stiffer, which means they will be less likely to break down. But whether they achieve the key objectives of being less temperature sensitive, having a wider range of use and with degradation rates and performance differences that allow for strategic variation, only time will tell."

So it's going to be an exciting year for F1, the teams and the drivers. Will the changes have a positive or negative impact on racing and overtaking? We won't know the answer until early next year.