Fans Lash Out As $2 Million Ferrari Loss Puts “Save the Planet” Debate Under the Scanner

Formula 1 is planning to get rid of tire blankets in 2024, raising fears of disaster. Electric tire blankets preheat the tires before bolting them to the cars. The concept has been in place in F1 since the mid-1980s. In recent years, the FIA has discussed banning tire blankets on environmental grounds to reduce energy consumption. But after a recent Ferrari accident at the World Endurance Championship, concerns are being raised about the ban.

Recently Antonio Fuoco lost control of the No. 50 Ferrari 499P and crashed after exiting the pit lane on a new set of Michelin slick tires. This could be costly for the Italian team considering the approximate worth of its Hypercar at $2 million.

After the race, the Head of Ferrari’s Attivita Sportive GT department, Antonello Coletta, warned that the ban on tire blankets could have “major ramifications for safety.” Because the crash simply happened as the tires were not preheated.

One of the biggest changes in the World Endurance Championship in 2023 is the ban on tire warmers. Pre-heated tires are essential for safer driving conditions on the track. Without them, cold tires can lead to drivers locking up and being unable to turn, potentially leading to more crashes.

Even with the use of tire blankets, you might have heard teams often complaining about not finding the grip and crashing. Now imagine the number of crashes without them. But many fans on Twitter have cited examples of how many motorsport series work well and have fewer crashes without tire blankets.

Fans debate the ban on Tire Blankets on Environmental grounds after Ferrari Hypercar’s crash in WEC

Banning tire blankets is a controversial one and it’s being hotly debated. Because the alternative methods used in heating the tires damage the environment more than the electric tire blankets.

For instance, in order to heat the tires naturally, the drivers have to do more laps than usual. This only wastes more fuel and harms the environment more. Pointing out the same hypocrisy, Twitteratti criticized the World Endurance Championship FIA. 

Ideally, people expect endurance racing drivers to manage their tires well. Considering the lengthy stints they do, it is uncharacteristic for Fuoco to falter in tire warmup & mess up Ferrari’s race like this.

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Although, Ferrari’s F1 team has also experienced tire issues quite often. So, you never know if these tire troubles are in the Scuderia’s destiny.

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It is tough to judge whether the fans blaming Fuoco are right or whether the FIA needs to get into action on this issue. Regardless, Ferrari needs to ensure they sort their tire troubles to mount a challenge against Toyota in this year’s Endurance Championship. Still, what do you think about Fuoco’s cold tires crash?