Pirelli: European GP runs at blistering pace
Formula One tyre supplier Pirelli is looking forward to a high-paced European Grand Prix at Valencia on its debuting PZero White medium compound tyre, but the forces acting on the tyre in the circuit’s corners and four near-300km/h straights can be some of the hardest on the tyres in the F1 calendar. A potential tyre problem at Valencia is so-called “blistering” – sections of tyre compound separating from the tread caused by overheating. While PZero tyres undergo a chemical treatment to minimise the risk of this happening, the manufacturer says that teams must concentrate on minimising sliding with tidy driving and enough downforce in order to cut the chances of tyre blisters forming.
Pirelli explains that blistering begins at the innermost edge of the tyre, which is most stressed and runs at the highest temperature. The phenomenon occurs when the rubber close to the carcass overheats, creating small air pockets within the tyre that gradually begin to pull the compound apart in various different areas. If uncorrected, sections of rubber detach themselves from the surface of the tyre, in different sizes depending on the amount of both heat and mechanical stress they are subjected to. These leave quite large and visible blisters on the tread surface that often go down to the carcass. The look is very similar to a human blister, hence the name.
In addition to maintaining a neat driving style and providing sufficient downforce through corners to avoid sliding the car too much and heating up the tyres, a problem can be caused by slipstreaming. When a car is following closely behind another, the hole in the air robs the car behind of downforce, making it slide more.
The condition of the track has a profound effect too. When a track very little rubber on the surface, there is less grip and the cars slide more. As the weekend progresses, deposits get laid onto the track at a certain rate, covering it in a layer of rubber. This so-called “clean” line generates exceptional grip when it is in contact with the tyre, reducing tyre deterioration and the risk of blistering.
Pirelli claims that the paucity of blistering yet seen in tyres this season “underlines the consistency and stability of the new PZero rubber”.
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