Pirelli calls for more F1 testing ahead of tech regulation overhaul

By Jan 28, 2016, 12:30 PM EST
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Formula 1 tire supplier Pirelli has called for increased testing ahead of the proposed overhaul of the technical regulations for the 2017 season.

F1 is set to enjoy its most seismic technical change since the introduction of the new V6 turbo power units next year, with a series of radical alterations planned for the regulations.

Currently, testing is restricted to just a handful of days across the course of the year in a bid to reduce costs and keep the grid on a relatively level playing field.

In 2016, teams will enjoy eight days of testing in Barcelona before the first race of the year, and will get a further four days during the season. Private testing is prohibited.

Pirelli confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday that it would be holding a meeting with all of F1’s major stakeholders next week in a bid to outline its plans for the 2017 season.

“A meeting will be held at Pirelli’s Milan headquarters next week in which key Formula 1 stakeholders will take part,” the statement reads. “The meeting will be to discuss target tire performance guidelines in the light of the 2017 regulations.

“Pirelli sees this meeting as being of vital importance in order to further consolidate the close collaboration that got underway last year with the FIA, FOM, and the drivers. Of the more than 250 championships in which Pirelli takes part worldwide, Formula 1 is the biggest challenge.

“In 2017 the technical aspects will become even more complex, so Pirelli is even more convinced of the need to carry out more on-track testing.

“This is a factor that has been extremely limited in recent years, despite the important evolution of the cars and subsequent increase in performance.

“All these are vital steps towards tire development that takes into account the future evolution of the cars and added performance, which will be particularly notable in 2017.

“This will allow an even more effective use of the advanced technology that makes Pirelli the world leader in performance tires.”

Pirelli has played an instrumental role in spicing up the on-track spectacle in F1 since taking the tender in 2011 by producing compounds that degrade quickly and force drivers to carefully manage their tires.

However, it has faced a great deal of criticism as a result, with drivers complaining that they are unable to push flat-out during races.

As quoted by crash.net, Pirelli’s Mario Isola said that if F1 requests a more durable tire that allows drivers to push throughout the race, it would be happy to provide this.

“It’s a choice. This is part of the target fixed by the Formula 1 environment and as we always said we want to follow what F1 asks of us,” Isola said.

“This is another aspect of the target of development for the future. If we had to produce long-lasting tires we have to focus on that, if we have to produce tires with degradation we have to focus on that.”

Ford Mustang GT3 test has Austin Cindric dreaming of Daytona: ‘I want to drive that car’

By Mar 22, 2023, 2:30 PM EDT
Cindric Ford GT3 test
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Austin Cindric wasn’t the “mystery” test driver behind the wheel of the new Ford Mustang GT3 at Sebring International Raceway, but the Team Penske driver desperately wanted to be.

Ford CEO Jim Farley, an amateur sports car driver himself, made the big reveal via a Tuesday tweet that provided the first video evidence of the GT3 Mustang on track.

“I’ve watched the video in question about a million times,” Cindric said Wednesday during a Ford Performance Zoom news conference to promote NASCAR’s first road course weekend of the season at Circuit of the Americas. “Definitely exciting times for sure. I want to drive that car. It suits my experience level and also the relationships that I have.”

Ford will enter the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next season with its GT3 Mustang, entering a two-car factory effort (that will be managed by Multimatic) in GTD Pro and making customer cars available in the GT Daytona category.

That increases the likelihood of seeing more NASCAR drivers crossing over to IMSA. Cindric has been the only full-time Cup driver in the Rolex 24 at Daytona the past two years, but Ford Performance global director Mark Rushbrook has said the GT3 Mustang will provide more opportunities.

Ford has used its GT4 Mustang as a NASCAR driver development tool in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge with Harrison Burton and Zane Smith combining to win the season opener at Daytona International Speedway in January.

“We’re excited about the Next Gen car and the new architecture there and the similarities between that car and GT3 and even GT4 cars,” Rushbrook said at the announcement of the Ford GT3 program in January 2022 at Daytona. “We think it’s a great opportunity and to do be able to do that in a 24-hour race and get NASCAR drivers even more time is something we need to consider taking advantage of that opportunity.”

Given his sports car background, Cindric probably still would be in the Rolex 24 regardless. He has eight IMSA starts since the 2017 season opener at Daytona, racing a Lexus RCF GT3 and Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the GT category. The 2022 Daytona 500 winner made his second LMP2 start this year with Rick Ware Racing.

But Cindric’s preference naturally would be in a Ford, particularly with sports car racing enjoying convergence and crossovers in both GT and prototype racing.

“It’s an exciting time in GT racing, just as it is now for prototype racing with a lot of new regulations and manufacturers building new GT3 cars,” he said. “And also the opportunity with WEC (the World Endurance Championship) and Le Mans and how that all lines up for that category of car. It’s definitely an exciting time. I want to be as much of a part of that as possible.”

Though those odds seemingly will increase with multiple Ford entries in the Rolex 24 field next year, Cindric said NASCAR drivers still have to put in the networking to land rides as he has in recent years.

“Now how (the GT3 Mustang) relates to specifically NASCAR drivers and how often they want to be in the Rolex, could it be an influence? Absolutely, as far as the tie-in with the manufacturer,” Cindric said. “But the challenge and the drive and the logistics of getting an opportunity for a race like the Rolex 24 will be just as challenging as it always is to find your one-off ride for the race. At least from my experience, that’s what I still anticipate.”

It turned out the “mystery” test driver wasn’t from NASCAR (Farley revealed the driver to be 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Joey Hand after a fan asked whether it was Joey Logano).

But Cindric believes there could be more Cup drivers — and perhaps himself — behind the wheel of Mustang GT3s in the future.

“There’s definitely more of a pathway than I think there would be before as far as Ford drivers are concerned,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll get the opportunity to drive that thing. It’s obviously a great looking car. That’s the first box you’ve got to check. And it’s cool (to have) a guy like Jim Farley, no doubt he’s a racer just as much as he is steering the ship for Ford. It’s cool to see he’s just as excited as the rest of us about it.”