At the Bahrain Grand Prix 2020, drivers including Max Verstappen got a taste of tires to be used for the 2021 Formula 1 season. While the drivers were expecting that taste to be sweet, their short experience only left bitterness in their mouths.

They had been fitted with the prototypes in the second practice session at Bahrain. In fact, it was mandatory for the drivers to try them out. However; they found the new rubber to be on average a second slower than the current ones. Those tires weigh 3 kilograms heavier and apparently have lesser grip; the cars were sliding around the circuit in FP2 with them.

Max Verstappen and Hamilton’s funny exchange

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Red Bull driver saw the lighter side of this debacle. While Lewis was speaking about Mercedes using the practice session for collecting data for next year, Max sarcastically quipped,“At least you enjoyed driving the prototype tires, right?! On the longer run.”

The Dutchman was enduring a tough run in the practice sessions with those tires. Struggling for grip, he was drifting around the track. He thought he was the only one struggling, but upon seeing Lewis in a similar plight, he was much more relieved.

“I thought I was having difficulties, and then I was behind you [Hamilton]. Then I saw you driving, I was like ‘Mmm, I think I am good’. Maybe we should make it a drift championship next year.”

Max demands more clarity from Pirelli

One issue that they were planning to overcome with these compounds was overheating. However, in trying to do that, they have effectively reduced the grip. Thus, Verstappen wants them to hold talks with drivers to sort out the issue.

“I think it’s important that we discuss those things. Yeah, I think that’s the most important thing. We just have to talk to Pirelli and I hope they also listen a bit to the drivers… I hope we will not use them (2021 tyres) but let’s see.”

Having seen general disapproval from the drivers, tire manufacturers Pirelli are facing the music. The sole tire manufacturers in Formula 1 had already failed to come up with better tires for the ongoing season. To continue with the old ones for next season won’t bode well for them. Although, it would still be a better option than watching a ‘drift championship’ on TV next season.