SportsNews
Why F1 must find a solution to its wasted tyres problem
While Formula 1 continues to make good gains in improving its sustainability, one of the most obvious areas of wastage clearly still needs addressing.
With the quest to reduce environmental impact being all about marginal gains rather than delivering a silver bullet solution, it is quite remarkable that F1 finds itself left with so many unused tyres over the course of a season.
The reality of this situation emerged in an info document that Pirelli sent out on Thursday detailing some interesting stats from the 2024 season – which included the fact that F1’s tyres cumulatively covered a distance of 334,942.175 kilometres over 65,534 laps.
Tucked away amid the data were some interesting numbers related to the number of sets delivered – and especially how many ended up not being called into action at all.
Pirelli says it supplied teams will a total of 8016 new sets in 2024 – which was divided up into 6100 sets of slicks and 1916 of wet weather rubber (1428 inters and 488 wets). Of this total, 2718 sets were never used – which is around 34% of the entire supply.
Some of these were rain tyres that were never required, but there were a fair few slicks that also never saw the light of day.
Photo by: Erik Junius
Pirelli says that 935 sets of slicks – just more than 15% of the total taken to races – were fitted to rims and never left the garage.
Furthermore, 948 sets of slicks (15.5%) completed between just one and three laps – being used either just for qualifying or in quali sims in practice.
The number of totally unused tyres is quite eye-opening when put in the context of all these tyres effectively being wasted resources on two fronts.
First, there is the question of effort and materials, in terms of manufacturing and then needing to destroy and recycle these sets.
Then beyond that there are transportation considerations to take into account too based on flying this rubber all the way around the world for nothing.
It is little wonder that Pirelli itself noted in its document: “The issue of more efficient tyre usage during the race weekend remains on the table.”
Finding a solution
The issue of wasted tyres is something that Pirelli has been pushing hard on in recent years, and improvements have already been made for 2024.
This came through the use of a ‘strip and fit’ policy for extremes and inters – meaning that tyres that were mounted at one race could be stripped and refitted for the following. This meant that around 3500 fewer tyres needed to be produced last year compared to 2023.
A trolley of Pirelli tyres
© Autosport.com
A trolley of Pirelli tyres
Photo by: Lionel Ng / Motorsport Images
Reality means that it will be impossible for F1 to ever end up in a situation where there are no wasted tyres, but it is clear more can be done.
On the rain tyre element, consideration could be given to shifting F1 to just having a single type of wet tyre.
It is pretty obvious in F1 right now that the current performance dynamics of the inter and the extreme trigger a scenario where there is a lot of wastage.
The extreme is designed to resolve problems of aquaplaning in really bad conditions – but the tyre is so rarely used because, by throwing up so much water along with the diffuser, cars never run in such terrible weather.
Pirelli’s 2024 data highlights the problem. Intermediates were used for a total of 5.84% of the entire distance covered by teams; the extreme was just 0.57%.
Having a single wet tyre to cope with the range of conditions that run from damp to the point where cars no longer race would be an easy win for cutting back on tyre production. On the slick issue, it is inevitable that there will be some sets that are only used for three laps or so because of qualifying.
Sets of Medium and Hard Pirelli tyres used by McLaren
© Autosport.com
Sets of Medium and Hard Pirelli tyres used by McLaren
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
However, reducing the number of tyres unused totally could be achieved through different sporting regulations, perhaps forcing teams to use specific compounds in certain sessions.
F1 trialled the Alternative Tyre Allocation (ATA) at two races in 2023 – reducing the number of sets given to each driver down from 13 to 11. The rules forced drivers to use hard tyres in Q1, mediums in Q2 and softs in Q3.
But the idea did not get the support needed from teams to become the norm from the start of this year. There were concerns that the ATA limited running in practice too much and it handed an advantage to the quickest teams who were better on the harder compounds in qualifying.
The ATA was ruled out for adoption and the idea of a reduced allocation has since fallen away from the spotlight.
Pirelli felt that this was a missed opportunity. As head of F1 and car racing Mario Isola said at the time: “The decision to drop this format, for me, was not the right one.
“I believe that if the direction for the future is to reduce the championship’s carbon footprint, we have to accept to lose something.”
And as Pirelli’s latest numbers show, this is a topic that definitely needs some fresh attention.
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- Kai Havertz’s disallowed goal vs Aston Villa has generated intense discussions online after the late VAR call
- Arsenal faithful thought they had gotten a winner against Unai Emery’s side, only for the VAR to rule it out
- The discussions have revolved around which part of Havertz’s body the ball hit, even as the EPL offered an explanation
Arsenal fans are convinced Kai Havertz’s goal against Aston Villa was wrongly disallowed after new footage emerged.
Havertz thought he had won the game for the Gunners after he deflected Mikel Merino’s shot past Emi Martinez, only for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to chalk it off.
A big screen at the Emirates shows VAR reviewing Kai Havertz’s goal against Aston Villa. Photo by Glyn Kirk. Source: Getty Images
Why Havertz’s late goal vs Aston Villa was disallowed
Initial replays showed that the ball hit the German’s hand as he attempted to get out of the way. The Premier League immediately explained why the goal was disallowed.
“The Arsenal goal was awarded on-field. The VAR established that the ball hit Havertz’s arm immediately before entering the goal and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”
This is in line with IFAB’s Section 12, which states,
“It is an offence if a player: 1) scores in the opponents’ goal, directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper and 2) immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental.”
New footage of Havertz’s ‘handball’ emerges
However, despite the explanation, a section of Arsenal fans are still convinced the ball didn’t hit Havertz’s arm after a new slow-motion video surfaced.
The ball appears to ricochet against the former Chelsea forward’s stomach before going in.
@EmanDaGoon asked,
“Kai Havertz ‘handball’ in slow motion. Please tell me I’m not going crazy, but where’s the handball?”
@SamColeman said,
“If that ball indeed hit his right hand, the trajectory of the ball will certainly not be up. The same video shows it coming off his midriff. Either way, it’s inconclusive.”
The disallowed goal was another disappointment to Mikel Arteta, who saw his side blow away a two-goal lead and drop points in the title race yet again.
Liverpool vs Arsenal EPL title race
Liverpool had earlier beaten a stubborn Brentford thanks to a Darwin Nunez brace in stoppage time, and Arsenal needed nothing short of a win to maintain the chase at the top.
Leandro Trossard was the star of the show, setting up the two goals for Gabriel Martinelli and Havertz inside the first 55 minutes. Youri Tielemans, however, pulled one back before Watkins scored the equaliser after poor marking inside the Arsenal area.
The stalemate leaves Arsenal six points behind Liverpool, who still have that game in hand.
Reactions to Arsenal draw
TUKO.co.ke has also reported on the reactions of Arsenal fans after they squandered a two-goal lead.
The Gunners dominated most of the game, but two defensive lapses in the second half allowed Emery’s side to get back into it.
SportsNews
Amad Diallo receives rave reviews after inspiring Man United to comeback win over Southampton with hat-trick
- Amad Diallo bagged a 12-minute hat-trick to lead Manchester United to victory against Southampton on Thursday
- The Ivory Coast international helped the Red Devils clinch a vital victory from the jaws of defeat
- Fans lauded the 22-year-old who became the first Man United star to score a hat-trick since Cristiano Ronaldo
Amad Diallo inspired Manchester United to an epic comeback win over Southampton with a sensational 12-minute hat-trick.
The hosts were poor for most of the Premier League contest at Old Trafford, but the Ivorian came in clutch with a performance of the ages.
Amad Diallo has scored important goals for Manchester United this season. Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse. Source: Getty Images
How Amad inspired Man United to victory
Man United went into the match high in confidence after two magnificent performances away against Liverpool and Arsenal.
However, it was another tepid performance at Old Trafford as they allowed their bottom team to dictate the majority of the game.
They conceded from a corner again, with Manuel Ugarte scoring an own goal from a corner. It looked like they were headed for another defeat at home, but Amad had other ideas.
A wondrous 12-minute display from the Ivory Coast international secured a much-needed win for Ruben Amorim’s team.
He scored his first goal in the 82nd minute to level proceedings. He bagged his second thanks to a deft chipped pass from substitute Christian Eriksen.
He capitalised on Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ error to become the first Man United player to score a hat-trick since Cristiano Ronaldo.
The win leaves the Red Devils 12th in the Premier League with 26 points after 21 matches.
What Amad said after Man United hat-trick
At 22 years and 189 days, the Ivorian became the youngest Man United player to score a Premier League hat-trick at Old Trafford.
“Maybe one of the best weeks in my life,” Amad told TNT Sports via MEN. “I am very happy for this win. This team deserved to win this game so I am very happy.”
“In football you have to believe. We believed until the end and are very happy to win this game.”
Amad will need to produce the same performance against Brighton, a much tougher opponent on Sunday.
Amad Diallo is having a great season at Manchester United. Photo by Carl Recine. Source: Getty Images
Reactions to Amad Diallo hat-trick
@Annychizzy:
Hard work, relentless, discipline, determination are some of the words to describe you. You are everything Amad. This is your moment. This is your time.
@_ZDanno:
“Thank you for tonight mate, you proved that you were worth the contract given to you. I can’t wait to see more of this till 2030 and hopefully beyond that.”
@alifnfir:
“What a player, so wonderful performance Amad! Keep the good work. I think u will be the best in the world.”
@CFC_Janty:
“Amad Diallo has a Premier League hat trick before Saka😭.”
@utdbrxy:
“This is YOUR team. Keep letting everyone know.”
@_FaridKhan:
“Ten Hag should be jailed for benching Amad.”
@EzzyUTD:
“Amad Diallo the saviour of Manchester give him the number 7 shirt!!!”
Amad Diallo helps Man United win Manchester derby
TUKO.co.ke earlier reported that Amad inspired Man United to an epic win against Manchester City.
He won a penalty, which Bruno Fernandes scored, and then bagged a superb late winner.
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