The two-day test is the latest step in Pirelli’s programme of no-blanket slick running, although it is set to be compromised by rain.
Pirelli’s hope was to introduce the new tyres in 2024, but at last Friday’s F1 Commission it was agreed to postpone the move to remove blankets, and then have another look for 2025.
The decision came too late for Pirelli to change its run plan for Spa, and thus the focus of the test will remain on the no-blanket tyres, with a view to gathering more data for possible introduction in 2025.
However, the catch is that Pirelli doesn’t know if it will still be the official F1 tyre supplier for that season, as it faces a challenge from Bridgestone for the contract that runs from 2025 to 2028.
A decision on the tender is expected during the summer break. If Bridgestone gets the nod then Pirelli’s no-blanket programme will instantly become obsolete as the company won’t be in F1 in 2025.
The Spa test will in effect be rendered worthless, at least in terms of any slick running.
Pirelli will then be able to focus its efforts in any remaining testing this season - including a session at Monza after the Italian GP - on preparing the best possible standard tyre for 2024.
Given that the focus of its testing this year has been on running with no blankets Pirelli has dedicated less resource than usual to developing tyres with blankets for 2024, and dealing with the annual increase in downforce levels and general performance that the teams achieve.
It has now to produce a tyre that will be able to cope with the load levels predicted for the final race of the 2024 season.
“Because now we know that the no-blanket tyres have been postponed to 2025 we have also to understand if we need to make any modifications to the current product for next year,” said Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola when asked by Autosport about the test programme.
Source: Autosport