Tyre News

David Coulthard, himself a 13-time Grand Prix winner, has hit out at the current generation of Formula One tyres, which are supplied by Pirelli. Speaking in an interview with RaceFans.net, Coulthard said Pirelli-era tyres resulted in boring races: “This whole Pirelli era is just confusing to me and boring to me to have to talk about, and super-boring for me to have to listen to the drivers going ‘I was trying to avoid pushing too hard on the tyres’.”

Porsche has approved the Goodyear the Eagle F1 SuperSport R as original equipment for the latest Porsche 911 GT3. It will wear size 255/35ZR20 tyres on the front axle and 315/30ZR21 at the rear.

A world first for Pirelli with the debut of its FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) tyres. The manufacturer developed these original equipment P Zero tyres specifically for the BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid and supplies them to BMW in size 275/35 R22 (front) and 315/30 R22 (rear). Both dimensions have a tyre label grade of ‘A’ for fuel efficiency.

Pirelli didn’t invent the run-flat tyre – these have been around in various forms since the 1930s – but it’s now 20 years since the Italian firm first offered drivers run-flat tyres. The roadgoing products that Pirelli launched in 2001 drew upon lessons learned from rallying, the setting where the tyre maker first tried and tested this technology. Developing tyres containing a reinforced structure enabled rally drivers to continue driving in the event of a puncture, saving precious minutes during intense competition.

GT Radial, the major UK tyre brand of manufacturer Giti Tire, is replacing its most popular European market summer car tyre. The GT Radial FE2, which replaces the bestselling Champiro FE1, delivers 15% better wet braking than its predecessor among other improvements. The tyre will be provided in 15-18" sizes to fit major compact and family passenger cars and small and crossover SUV models. The SUV version carries an "SUV" marking on the sidewall to highlight their core market. By the end of 2021, Giti expects to have 42 different sizes in tyre retailers. In addition to the company record-breaking GT Radial Champiro FE1, the FE2 will replace a number of GT Radial FE1 City and GT Radial Savero SUV patterns.

After the event’s successful debut in 2019 at Shelsley Walsh, event organisers will be hosting two events in 2021. Supercar Fest: The Runway will take place on 30 May at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire, which will see the supercars go head-to-head on a one kilometre runway. Meanwhile, Supercar Fest: The Hill Climb will be returning to the historic Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, in the heart of the picturesque Worcestershire countryside on 29 August 2021.