Sainz: We can push harder with new 18-inch F1 tyres

The Barcelona test was the first time teams and drivers were able to experience the definitive 18-inch race tyres mated to the 2022 cars that they were designed for, having tested them on converted mule cars last year.

Given that so much else was new in the 2022 package, tyres were not a major topic of conversation in the Barcelona paddock, suggesting that the change had not made a significant difference.

However, Sainz, who ran more laps over the week than anyone else, believes that they will allow drivers to race harder, which is something that has been called for in recent seasons.

“I did quite a bit of testing last year, I think I did three or four days in total with the compounds,” said the Spaniard.

“And they look like they are suiting well this new generation of cars, and they look to be at least allowing you to push a bit more on them.

“And compared to other years, maybe a bit less overheating, a bit less deg, but there's still deg, they're still a tyre that degrades a tyre that overheats, but the scale of it for me personally, I feel like it's a bit better. And the work done by Pirelli last year and the development seems to start to pay off a bit.”

Sainz also indicated that there is now a potentially larger lap time delta between the compounds, something that should add interest to races.

“There looks to be also quite a big step from compounds, which is something that in the last few years, for example, the C2, C3 and C4 were all very close to each other," he added.

“And here there seems to be, at least around Barcelona, quite a big step in grip from one compound to another. So it could maybe mix up things in races a bit. So in that sense some extra differences

there compared to last year."

Valtteri Bottas, Alfa