Pirelli prepares for Austin, Texas’s Circuit of the Americas

Pirelli takes its P Zero and Cinturato branded Formula One tyres to the USA Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas between 16 and 18 November, and has been preparing for its first visit to Austin, Texas using simulation work. The data for its preparation was obtained from a visit to the track during its construction; the track will only be opened officially this weekend 20-21 October. While practically every circuit was new to Pirelli last season, the circuit is one of only two – and since the other was the thoroughly established Hockenheim, the Circuit of the Americas could be seen as the brand’s biggest challenge of the year. (While it had not raced at Bahrain before, the Italian firm had tested there in the past, and had plenty of information to fall back on.)

The Circuit of the Americas provides a great challenge to those preparing the tyres – understanding the nature of a new surface is always complicated, but here there is no previous data to access. To prepare for the inaugural Grand Prix, Pirelli explains that two of its engineers inspected the Circuit of the Americas while it was being built over the summer, looking at the track surface and layout in detail.

They brought with them sophisticated laser measuring equipment in order to assess the abrasiveness of the circuit by examining closely the spacing and shape of the stones that make up the aggregate. Several readings were taken from the machine, in order to ensure an accurate representation. Using these readings a virtual representation of the track from the tyre’s point of view can be created on computer.

Together with some asphalt samples from the new venue, this allowed Pirelli to calculate the likely wear rate and the effect of the asphalt and ambient temperatures on the tyres at different points on the circuit.

Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery said: “There’s no doubt that preparing for a circuit that is completely new is more difficult than going to one of the established venues. However, we now feel fully ready for this magnificent track, where we will bring the P Zero Silver hard and P Zero White medium tyres. The technology and know-how that we have at our disposal means that we can forecast some very accurate predictions without actually having raced at a circuit these days, thanks to the preparation work from our engineers.”

Circuit of the Americas president Steve Sexton concluded: “The sophisticated technology that Pirelli is known for has allowed them to be a market leader. Their analysis of our brand new track can help provide race strategy predictions that should assist drivers and teams toward achieving success at our circuit. We look forward to their continued work at Circuit of the Americas.”

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