Pirelli boss Mario Isola has explained how Formula 2's switch to 18-inch tyres in 2020 has helped in preparing for the move in F1. The new generation of tyres will be introduced into Formula 1 in 2022, along with a range of other different technical regulations. Isola admits that seeing how the rubber works in a race environment was helpful, despite the differences in the power of the cars. "It was quite useful because we had the opportunity to test the 18-inch tyres in a real race environment with Formula 2," Isola told media including RacingNews365.com . "It's a different car, less powerful, the stress on the tyres is different. But we had the opportunity to see the behaviour of the tyre in traffic, on the kerbs, in some situations where, during the tyre test, you don't have a real picture. "So we took this and we compared with the old 13-inch tyre we used in Formula 2 to understand the differences, and I believe that was quite useful."
Former Formula 2 drivers used to 18-inch tyres
There will be several drivers on the F1 grid in 2022 who have already experienced the 18-inch tyres, having been in Formula 2 at the time of the switch in that category. Mick Schumacher, Nikita Mazepin, Yuki Tsunoda and Guanyu Zhou will all have been familiar with the different rubber, and Schumacher thinks that this might prove helpful to him. "I already changed from 13- to 18-inch tyres once in Formula 2," the Haas driver told Sky Sport Germany , as quoted by German media outlet RTL . "I know what to expect." Schumacher also hopes that, with Haas switching their focus to preparing for the new 2022 rules early on in the 2021 campaign, the team may have an advantage. "All the teams are set a bit to zero by the new rules," the German added. "Hopefully we'll have a bit of a head start because we started earlier with the changeover and preparation."
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