Formula 1 to introduce new wet weather tyre at Imola

Pirelli has developed a new and superior full-wet tyre for F1 that will be introduced at next May's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Last season, drivers were critical of Pirelli's wet weather product, insisting the tyre could not properly cope with extreme weather conditions.

"We need better rain tyres because I think the extremes are just slow and they can’t really carry a lot of water away," declared Red Bull's Max Verstappen after last year's rain-soaked Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

• Read also: Pirelli to debut new tyre compound in Bahrain

In the meantime, following a comprehensive testing programme conducted by the Italian company with the help of various F1 teams, an improved compound and construction has been developed.

Following a meeting held on Tuesday in London by the Formula 1 Commission, it has been decided that the new wet weather tyre, which is "much more performant than the previous specification" according to the FIA, will be available from Imola.

The new wet weather rubber also does not require the use of tyre blankets.

Furthermore, the FIA has authorized teams to conduct additional wet weather testing with Pirelli in the third quarter of 2023 as part of the governing body's research into improving safety in extreme wet conditions.

The FIA's Technical Directive will enable the work to be undertaken outside of the Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions (ATR) limits and outside of the cost cap regulations.

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