In a surprising turn of events, the ban on tyre-warming blankets that was initially slated to take effect from the upcoming season has been amended. The rules now dictate that the blankets will remain allowed, but with the possibility of the FIA re-imposing the ban pending a final decision by the end of July.

George Russell, the Mercedes driver, participated in a crucial Pirelli test at Barcelona following the Spanish Grand Prix. Joining him were Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher and Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Enhance your F1 viewing experience with attractive betting odds from Nextbet. 

The significance of this test lies in the fact that there is only one remaining session of blanket-free testing scheduled for 2024, which will take place at Silverstone with teams such as Red Bull and Haas participating, just before the final verdict is reached.

While the Barcelona test reportedly went well and significant progress has been made with blanket-free tyres since their initial testing, Russell expressed his reservations. He suggested that the positive outcome of the Barcelona test could be attributed to the high temperatures and unique track characteristics at the Spanish circuit.

“In hindsight, it probably wasn’t tested in the right conditions at the right circuit,” Russell commented when asked about the raceability of blanket-free tyres. He added, “I don’t think we as a sport are at a position yet to bring these tyres into a racing scenario.”

Russell elaborated on his concerns, highlighting potential risks during pit stops and the challenging out lap in cold conditions. He expressed doubts about the tyres’ suitability and questioned whether the resources and development efforts could be better utilized elsewhere.

Leclerc echoed similar sentiments regarding the Barcelona test. While he acknowledged that the tyres performed well in the hot weather during the test, he emphasized the need to assess their behavior in less favorable conditions.

“It’s too early to say,” Leclerc said when asked about the raceability of the new tyres. He continued, “I would like to maybe test those tyres in different conditions, and then see whether they are raceable in all conditions.”

Leclerc emphasized the importance of testing the tyres in lower temperatures, as that presents a significant challenge. He mentioned that managing the tyres becomes much more difficult when racing against other cars.

Fernando Alonso, who has experienced racing without tyre blankets during his participation in the Indy 500, expressed his skepticism about the effectiveness of this approach in Formula 1.

“It depends on the tyre energy that you put on that specific circuit,” Alonso explained. “I’m not a big fan of removing the blankets, to be honest, and I don’t see the reason why.”

Alonso cited the varying demands of different circuits and raised concerns about the potential difficulties the lack of blankets could create, particularly in places like Monaco.

As the decision regarding the ban on tyre-warming blankets remains uncertain, it is evident that drivers and teams have reservations about the raceability and practicality of running without them. Further testing and evaluation in a range of conditions will be crucial in determining the future of this regulation in Formula 1. Get the latest updates from the world of F1 only on Nextbet Sports.