F1 Feature - The Pat Symonds Interview
27/11/2006
Winter testing kicks of at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona this week, with six new teams - Renault, McLaren, Honda, BMW, Red Bull and Toro Rosso - using Bridgestone tyres for the first time in years. These teams are all aware of the importance of their new tyre partnerships, as Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering at Renault, explains:
What will be the objectives for these test sessions?
Pat Symonds: The team’s goals are twofold. To a very large extent, our running will deal with learning and adapting to the true characteristics of the Bridgestone tyres. However, the fact we will be using the same engine architecture next year means it is also cost-effective to run components from next year’s car during these sessions, for reliability testing. We will be taking full advantage of that opportunity.
How much do you already know about the Bridgestone tyres?
We have received a lot of data from Bridgestone, which has been applied to our computer modelling in order to understand the basics of how the car set-up needs to be altered to get the best out of the tyres. Factors such as weight distribution and the aerodynamic characteristics of the car need to be re-assessed to determine how to best use the Bridgestone tyres.
Presumably, though, computer modelling can only take you so far in that process…
Exactly. No amount of mathematical data can explain the subtleties of the tyres, and especially of the tyre compounds. We need to run on track in order to understand how to best use the tyres over a stint, what driving style they require, and their general strengths and weaknesses. The majority of our nine days will be spent trying to get a handle on these characteristics.
Will the priority be long runs, or performance evaluation?
Initially, the engineers will be working with the drivers to get the basic balance of the car comfortable. That will involve relatively short runs. Subsequently, we will work on how the tyres react over the length of a race stint. It will be important to do plenty of mileage. A change of tyre supplier is a major transition for an F1 team.
How big an impact will it have on the team over the winter?
I don’t think the move to Bridgestone can be understated. The last time we changed tyre supplier was between 2000 and 2001. Since then, we have become a lot more knowledgeable about tyres, and we can apply a lot more intelligence to the issue. On a technical level, the transition is one of the normal engineering challenges an F1 team faces. The other important factor is building strong working relationships with our new partner, and establishing good communications. That plays an important role in any partnership, and it is something we will be working hard on.