[forzaferrari]

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed his team only volunteered to carry out 18-inch tyre testing this year after "strike breaker" Renault agreed to take part.

All 10 teams were offered the chance to create a mule car for initial track testing of the new 18-inch tyres by converting a 2018 chassis.

Most were reluctant to commit resources to such a project within 2019, and consideration was given to postponing any testing until 2020.
However, once Renault agreed to Pirelli's request to build a car for this season, Mercedes felt it had no choice but to participate, along with McLaren.
Ferrari has opted out, citing a lack of resources and time, while Red Bull Racing does not have a 2018 car available, due to its change of engine supplier.

"It was a very difficult decision," Wolff said when asked by Motorsport.com. "Because on the one hand you need to understand that Pirelli needs the testing, on the other hand it wasn't resource that was planned to spend in 2019.
"So we were hoping that all tyre tests for 18-inch rims would be delayed to 2020, and we made it clear that if all teams agreed to postpone it, that would be the best outcome, but if a one single one would jump on it, we would also. Renault was the strike-breaker, and then it was McLaren and us."

Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul made it clear that gaining any knowledge it can about tyres is a priority for the French manufacturer.

"It was a proposal offered by Pirelli to all teams," Abiteboul told Motorsport.com. "It was also a request from Pirelli, and I think we have a duty to make sure Pirelli has the capacity to do a good job.
"When we look at the importance of tyre understanding, frankly we are behind. Most of the difficulties that we've had from the start of the season are due to the change of construction that we have underestimated.
"It's another demonstration that we need to improve that massively. How can I say that and not accept what we've been offered to do for 2021? It's very straightforward."

[NeilP]

My technical knowledge as I have said many times is extremely limited but wont the performance of the tyre largely depend upon the the characteristics of the car they are on and the way the driver handles the car?

We have seen from the races many cars handle them differently, so if Pirelli take what happens on a Renault, Mercedes or any other car and builds the tyres on that basis will that not favour those teams?

I do realize there will be some generalizations that they can make but surely with so much at stake a broader image should be taken.

[forzaferrari]

Pirelli says it is open to widening the working window of its Formula 1 tyres for 2020 if it helps make life easier for teams.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/pirel...0/4448199/

[forzaferrari]

Amus (translated)
The pressure on Pirelli is growing. The boredom on the race track has startled the F1 management and the FIA. On Friday all team bosses, representatives of the FIA ​​and Pirelli meet in Spielberg to negotiate changes.

There are six teams who raised the alarm. Red Bull, Ferrari, Toro Rosso, Renault, Haas and Alfa Romeo see themselves as the hostage of the 2019 tires. Since winter's tire construction has changed and the tread has been reduced by four millimeters, most of the teams in the field are running in the Pirelli maze. Only Mercedes and McLaren meet regularly the working window, which has moved upwards compared to 2018 because of the thinner rubber pad.

The critics complain that they have not yet recognized a pattern for getting the tires into that magical window quickly and stopping there. "It's pointless to bring developments to the car because they're overshadowed by whether the tire works or not. Sometimes you are in the window, sometimes outside and no one can say why, "complains one.
Renault scolded last in France: "The purest lottery. The teams spend millions on upgrades, and then you do not get one of the three tire types to work, and it's all in vain. "

Since the GP France, the pressure on Pirelli is growing. The TV stations sound the alarm. The spectators run away because the races are getting boring and predictable. They want a better show for their money. That's what they deposited with Formula 1 boss Chase Carey. He now passes the pressure on to the FIA.

[morini]

Yeah, keep complaining. All I'll say is these teams might be better focussed by saying less and concentrating on "doing a better job"!

[forzaferrari]

Yeah, keep complaining. All I'll say is these teams might be better focussed by saying less and concentrating on "doing a better job"!

I fully agree but they are saying they cant "do a better job" because the "goal posts" move every time they go out on track & every race

[morini]

Same for everyone though. I don't really agree with the between the lines sentiment that Mercedes are better with tyre management because of the thickness of compound. They acknowledged a weakness and worked on it.

The reason Ferrari are struggling is they have taken a direction similar to how Merc used to be. Not enough downforce. They work on that and they will have no problems with tyre management. The other teams are just bandwagon jumping.

[Jody Barton]

Toro Rosso complaining is funny, because they seem to work the tyres really well... I guess the parent team has a say in that. Fair enough Haas, but also Alfa don't seem to have a tyre problem, their issues seem more track specific.

[Monster Hesh]

Thats right, blame the tyres....

[Jody Barton]

I know Hesh, fucking frustrating. Is everyone forgetting that it was Ferrari who did not one, but three tyre tests prior to the 2017 season? Who got the jump on everyone regarding tyres that year? Yup, Ferrari. The issues last year with blistering affected ALL teams, and ALL teams wanted a change in the tyres. It was bloody unanimous. Mercedes and McLaren did the tests when others saw no point, guess which teams are making the tyres work best?