F1 2023 news: Martin Brundle criticizes proposed changes to remove tire heaters, Max Verstappen, crash

The voice of Formula One spoke out harshly over the proposed rule change that would ban the use of tire warmers in the sport.

Martin Brandl weighed the proposal aimed at reducing electricity consumption. Tire warmers will be banned from 2024 as the sport seeks to become more environmentally friendly.

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Formula 1 tire supplier Pirelli is reportedly preparing for rule changes to be made next season.

The FIA ​​has previously made attempts to implement this initiative, but the attempts were abandoned due to the technical difficulties involved in trying to provide a product that can limit any potential problems.

During the off-season testing after the 2022 season, the teams tested the tires at lower temperatures when drivers braked hard. Haas driver Kevin Magnussen called it “dangerous” and said officials “do not understand” the difficulties of driving on cold tires.

Brundle has now joined the voices calling for the proposed changes.

“[It] It doesn’t make sense for Formula 1 to ban tire warmers,” he wrote.

“Cars will crash, negating any cost savings. [and] efficiency. Drivers/marshals are at increased risk. The most expensive and inefficient way to heat racing tires during testing, practice, qualifying and racing is with a Formula 1 car.”

Multiple Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen said after testing in 2022 that if the rule change continues, racing will be marred by crashes.

“It was not very pleasant,” he said.

“I think we will have many accidents. I already know this compared to what we have at the moment.”

Pirelli is in the process of developing a tire that doesn’t require preheating, with a test run following the British Grand Prix.

It is reported that if the tire company and the FIA ​​are satisfied with this test, the changes will be put to the vote of the F1 teams.

“Silverstone is one of the races where we have two days of testing after the race. And the idea is that after Silverstone we will analyze the data and analyze the situation together with the teams, the FIA ​​and F1,” said Pirelli head of F1 and motor racing, Mario Isola. motorsport.com.

“Then we will decide whether we can achieve the goal by 2024 or whether it needs to be postponed.”

In the recently published rules, the motorsports governing body stated that the vote must be held no later than July 31st.

The rules added: “To successfully pass the FIA ​​regulation change, F1 and a simple majority of the participants (5 out of 10) must vote in favour.”

This means that even if the test is successful and the FIA ​​is satisfied with the way things are, F1 teams can stop the change by voting against it.

Based on recent testing and driver comments, a tire ban in 2024 looks unlikely.

Originally published as Martin Brundle criticizes Formula 1 proposed rule to ban tire heaters