**”Großer Unterschied” beim Debüt: DTM-Fahrer loben neuen Pirelli-Regenreifen auf dem Lausitzring**

May 31, 2024, 12:24 PM

“Significant Difference”: DTM Drivers Evaluate New Pirelli Rain Tires

The new Pirelli rain tires debuted globally at the Lausitzring – Here’s what the DTM drivers think and why the feedback is mostly positive.

(Motorsport-Total.com) – Heavy rain, standing water, aquaplaning! The global debut of the new Pirelli rain tires, which were used for the first time in a race on Saturday at the DTM event at the Lausitzring, turned into an extreme test. Although the race was interrupted twice with red flags, the DTM drivers have given a positive verdict after their initial experiences with the so-called Cinturato WHB.

The debut of the new Pirelli rain tire faced a rigorous test Zoom

“A positive impression. This was definitely a significant step forward,” said Maro Engel, who celebrated being crowned the rain king of the Lausitzring on Saturday. However, the Winward-Mercedes driver thinks that the new tire, in terms of tire pressure, is “very sensitive” just like its predecessor.

“The outcome will, as always, hinge on the nuances, the subtle intricacies and details,” the seasoned GT3 driver remarked in an interview with Motorsport-Total.com. “However, this tire definitely appears to be easier to engage and get up to working temperature, which was sometimes quite challenging with its predecessor.”

To achieve this, the new Pirelli rain tire has been modified in several aspects, particularly regarding its tread pattern and rubber compound, which is significantly softer and thus offers improved grip. However, a key benefit of the new rain tires is their durability on drying tracks.

Rain Tires Remain “Very Stable” Even in Dry Conditions

“We drove flat out under completely dry conditions at the end,” recalls Abt-Audi driver Kelvin van der Linde about the final phase of Saturday’s race. The Abt-Audi driver expresses his enthusiasm, saying, “The tire performed well, and the tire pressures remained very stable. It seems that we have a much larger operating window compared to the old tire.”

Easily noticeable: The old rain tire (right) features distinct blocks Zoom

As the track dried on Saturday, lap times significantly improved. This change was largely attributed to the new design of the rain tires. Unlike the previous models with separate tread blocks, the Cinturato WHB features a more continuous tread pattern, which helps reduce wear even with a softer compound.

At the same time, water displacement has also improved. While the old rain tire couldn’t be worn down on a drying track like a typical racing tire, it quickly started to slide and generally felt unsatisfactory to the drivers.

The situation is different with the new Pirelli tire, as confirmed by Abt sports director Martin Tomczyk in an interview with Motorsport-Total.com. “It really is a significant difference,” says the former DTM driver. “It appears to perform very well under various conditions. Additionally, it is noticeably softer and provides much more grip compared to the old tire.”

Feller Struggles: “Hard to Comprehend”

Abt-Audi driver Ricardo Feller initially faced some challenges. “The tire is very hard to comprehend because we couldn’t test it,” the Swiss driver admitted to ran.de, saying the tire “surprised me a bit.” “It’s generally an improvement over the old one, but we need to drive on it more, so it would be good if it rains, then we can gather a bit more experience with it.”

“We drove it for the first time on Friday. Ricardo mentioned then that he couldn’t quite get a feel for it,” Tomczyk adds, while also pointing out that despite a tactical mishap in the rain chaos on Saturday, Feller still managed to secure fifth place. “During the race, he demonstrated the opposite, as he was one of the fastest on the track. That’s why he advanced so well. I consider the tire to be a pleasant surprise.”

© Gruppe C Photography

The pilots battled the torrents of water at the Lausitzring.

“Maybe he needed a second attempt,” pondered the 2011 DTM champion, who also admitted that the team hasn’t yet found the optimal tire pressure. “It always depends on the amount of water on the track and the length of the stint. That’s how the air pressure adjusts accordingly.”

Rain tires offer “significantly more grip”

The hazardous aquaplaning on Saturday was primarily due to the sheer volume of water. “I think the conditions were quite unique initially. There was an excessive amount of water,” Kelvin van der Linde explained to Motorsport-Total.com. “You would have experienced aquaplaning with any rain tire in those conditions. I do believe, however, that the tire itself is an improvement.”

Engel added, “We are aware that the Lausitzring offers very little grip in the rain, leading to numerous puddles forming. Therefore, it was expected to be challenging for everyone. However, compared to the last time I used Pirelli rain tires here, I experienced significantly more grip.”

“Hydroplaning Unavoidable”: Pirelli’s Conclusion After the Debut

Pirelli is generally pleased with the debut performance, says Pirelli’s motorsport director Matteo Braga. The tire had previously only been tested during the Thursday session at the ADAC GT Masters in Oschersleben. Braga explained that the instances of hydroplaning were due to the sheer volume of water, stating, “In such extreme weather conditions, it is unavoidable.”

“The new tire is significantly different from previous generations of our rain tires. Many teams had to use them for the first time under extreme conditions during a race weekend, and this was on a unique track without the benefit of extensive testing. They have learned a lot and will benefit from this experience for the rest of the season,” Braga is convinced.