The idea of cars running LED wheel covers to display extra information to fans has been considered for several years, and the option was even there in the rules for them to be introduced for racing if the technology was ready.
As long ago as the 2021 post-season test in Abu Dhabi, McLaren trialled the LED light system on its cars, amid hopes that they could be used to help fans better understand what was going on during sessions or races.
Pirelli’s head of car racing and F1 Mario Isola said the options for the information that could be displayed through the LEDs were limitless.
Speaking at the time, he said: “When you fit this [LED light] device and the device is working, you can do whatever you want.
“You can display the position, you can display logos, you can display the lap time in qualifying or something like that. There are many possibilities.
“You have the technology, so it’s easy to programme what you want to display.”
Source: Autosport