Hamilton critical of Italian tire brigade “Probably the most frustrating of all”
Pirelli has been the main supplier of rubber in the premier class since 2011. The Italian tire brigade was initially given the goal of developing a tire with a clear limit in performance, also known as graining . This was to encourage pit stops when refueling was no longer permitted. However, there is still some criticism of Pirelli’s current tires. The weekend in Miami was indicative of the current situation. During sprint qualifying, some drivers were faster on the medium tires than on the softest rubber.
Working window
Hamilton joins other drivers in criticizing the current tires. The seven-time champion mainly points to the narrow working window in which the band comes to life. “We are currently working in a minuscule window of tire temperatures. It really is this tire. I have never had a tire with such a narrow window in my entire career,” he told Motorsport.com after Miami .
Hamilton looks back on the Bridgestone period
The Brit has been part of Formula 1 since 2007 and drove with Bridgestone tires at the time. However, the purpose of that rubber was different. For example, tire suppliers at the time created tires that could push the envelope. That is no longer the case today. “This is probably the most frustrating thing of all. You think back to the past, when the working window was much larger. Back then you could just optimize the balance and have good grip throughout the lap. This is definitely my least favorite tire,” said Hamilton.
