Williams chief Pat Symonds has criticised the current 21 day tyre testing programme outlined by Pirelli for the larger 2017 F1 tyres. These tests include only Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari.
Symonds argues that as part of the testing programme, Pirelli will be either consciously or unconsciously directed in their development of the rubber compounds by feedback from the three teams.
At the recent Silverstone test, a 2014 Mercedes was used to evaluate the new spec rubber which led to Williams chief Pat Symonds venting his frustration over 2017 tyre testing schedules.
“I think it’s an enormous advantage and I think it’s something we need to consider,” said Symonds. “Even in this sort of blind testing they do, there always is the advantage in that the comments you make steer the direction of the tyres.”
Pirelli’s Mario Isola now feels the need to offer some clarity on the situation ensuring that his company, and the FIA have minimised any potential gains by those teams “heavily” involved.
“The teams that are not going to test will receive detailed reports, will receive all driver comments, all our analysis and some models we will develop in the next months. We will provide the same information.
“Don’t forget the tests are blind for the teams that are testing. They know they are testing tyres. They don’t know if it is base, if it is a prototype, nor what is in in the prototype – if it is a different compound and construction. They don’t know anything.”
Williams declined to participate in the 21 days of testing due to cost.
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“… which led to Williams chief Pat Symonds venting his frustration over 2017 tyre testing schedules.”
Yeah… no. Sorry.
Is this the same crash-when-I-give-the-signal Pat Symonds that’s worried about unfair advantages?
Harsh? Probably. I do tend to play the ball, so to speak, when analysing content; not the person – well not in the first instance. But in this case, it does the argument no favours that it comes from Pat.
Singapore ’08 was the lowest of the low, in my opinion. Maybe because I’ve raced, I’m a bit sensitive to it. I don’t know. Arranging a crash? No… that’s low.
and there it is: cost. this is how only the richest teams will continue to dictate technical things and these tyres will be more suited to them.