Pirelli's racing director has spoken to GP One about the type of tires his company will supply for the all-new sprint race.
George Barbier, racing director at Pirelli, knows the Superbike World Championship well, and his company even more so since it has been supplying it with tires since 2004. All this experience will now be put to the service of the new sprint race, inaugurated for the first time this season and which will be held on Sunday morning.
This in fact represents a new challenge in terms of tires : “For the sprint race we will have a tire lasting ten laps. The concept is the creation of a bit that is between that used in qualifying and that used for long races. This is an extra software which will allow drivers to use it during their flying lap in qualifying. In all cases we will provide tires for qualifying and tires for this race. The first tires will be tested between Jerez and Portimao to check how they work on different asphalts and with high or low temperatures. We have no fears regarding the first laps of the sprint race. Our Pirellis are renowned for their ability to immediately heat up for optimal operation. There will therefore be no problem or risk for the pilots. »
However, this third race is strongly criticized by the drivers, in particular by Jonathan Rea and Marco Melandri, who consider that it will create a lot more work and tension for ultimately not much. Others, like Chaz Davies, are rather optimistic and happy for the show on offer. Barbier, however, assures that many elements were taken into consideration before introducing it: “This decision was not born by chance, we talked a lot with Dorna, the television stations and the sponsors. Each change was measured according to the numerous queries. After various proposals, the solution of three races, with this third “sprint” on Sunday morning, will make it possible to show who is the fastest taking into account the values of the bike. This will not change anything for the pilots. The starting grid for Race 3 will not be changed, this will not create confusion for those watching. »
Giorgio Barbier
