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WATCH: Pirelli Has the Most Innovative Welcome Message for the New 18-inch Tire at Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix

Published 12/10/2021, 6:35 AM EST

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Formula One is heading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where quite a few things come to an end. The race will be the last time we see the big downforce generating F1 cars. It will be the last time we see Kimi Raikkonen in an F1 car. It is also the last time we will see the 13-inch Pirelli tires being fitted to an F1 car.

The sport is introducing new regulations next season. The regulations promise to allow close racing between the cars and tires are a big part of that change. Pirelli will drop its 13-inch tires to the bigger 18-inch tires. To celebrate the last race on 13-inch tires on the modern F1 cars, Pirelli paid tribute in a very touching manner.

“Next year I turn 18” logo was showcased on the tires at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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Tires next year will be more consistent: Pirelli boss Mario Isola

As reported by Gear Patrol, there are a couple of reasons the tire manufacturer is changing the tires for next season. Since the time Pirelli introduced the new 13-inch tires, drivers have criticized the tires because of overheating issues and degradation.

Since there will be new cars in 2022, Pirelli introduced the 18-inch tire to resolve these issues and make them more consistent.

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via Reuters

“Why the change? I believe it’s part of the process that Liberty Media started a few years ago to give an image to Formula 1–a more modern image,” Isola said.

“Tires next year will be more consistent. We tried to design a new family of compounds with a different concept, with less overheating, with a wider working range. The potential risk is that we have the majority of the races on one stop because of the characteristics of the tire,” said Mario Isola, the Pirelli boss.

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F1 fans hope that the 18-inch tires will prove to be better than the current generation of tires. Better and more robust tires allow for better racing and fierce wheel-to-wheel battles.

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Written by:

Devang Chauhan

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Devang Chauhan is an F1 author at EssentiallySports. Having completed his graduation in Journalism and Mass Communication, he has a keen eye for writing engaging and detailed articles on F1. Previously a writer for Sports Social's 'Chase Your Sport' Magazine, Devang has been an ardent follower of the sport for over a decade and has attended two editions of the Indian Grand Prix.
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