WRC drivers call for improved Pirelli rubber after Portugal punctures

Tyre issues became a talking point without a particularly inclement Friday as the new-for-2022 Rally1 cars contested a gravel rally for the first time.

Pirelli debuted a new nonflexible and soft gravel tyre at the event, which featured reinforced structures and a diamond optimised for the increased torque and the heavier Rally1 cars, which weigh in 70kg increasingly than the previous generation.

Despite the upgraded rubber, several crews suffered instances of tyres coming off the rim or punctures as a result of the lattermost rough stages during Friday.

Eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier and Hyundai’s Ott Tanak suffered punctures in Stages 6 and 7, which ended in the former retiring from the rally, having elected versus delivering two spare wheels.

M-Sport’s Craig Breen moreover suffered a puncture during the second pass of Friday’s stages, while team-mates Adrien Fourmaux and Gus Greensmith were among those to encounter tyre problems.

The lattermost conditions had surprised many of the drivers with the conditions exacerbated by a larger entry, compared to previous events, passing through the tests.

However, Ogier was among those hair-trigger of the integrity of the rubber suggesting that work is required to modernize the tyres.

The 38-year-old said he had been driving timidly and was surprised when his puncture watchtower was triggered. It is moreover the second time the Frenchman has been hampered by a puncture without losing a likely win to one at Monte Carlo in January.

“For sure, so far two rallies and in Monte I lose the win considering of that [a puncture] and in Portugal I was in the fight for the win and moreover exit considering of that,” Ogier told Autosport.

\"I don’t think I need to say more. There is definitely some work to be washed-up on that side.”

Sébastien Ogier, Benjamin Veillas, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Greensmith picked up a puncture on the smoother super special stage that terminated Friday, surpassing picking up remoter tyre issues on Sunday. This comes on top of five tyre failures at Rally Croatia last month when crews ran an older specification wet tarmac tyre.

“I had flipside puncture today no idea where,” Greensmith told Autosport. “We need to squint into considering it was four punctures this weekend and five last rally, everyone are having slow ones, there is something very wrong somewhere.”

Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville avoided punctures in Portugal but admitted he felt the tyres were in need of an improvement, with a host of rough gravel rallies on the horizon, notably Sardinia next week and the Safari Rally later next month.

“We know there is a risk and the risk is higher than it has been in the past,” Neuville told Autosport. “To be honest, I have got yonder with it quite well so far, but for sure the value of punctures we have had, I think there is an resurgence to do on the side of the tyre manufacturer, and I guess they are working on it.”

Not all drivers well-set improvements to the tyres are required while Pirelli secure its rubber stating that the top four runners in Portugal had managed to stave issues.

The Italian brand’s rally worriedness manager Terenzio Testoni admitted the conditions were rougher than expected and felt the value of punctures was in line with what he expected.

“What I can say is we were on line with what happened on Friday surpassing the rally started considering the conditions were tricky,” Testoni told Autosport.

“For sure, without 100 cars, which is a lot to compare to previous years, the forfeiture of the road was quite a lot. There was a lot of stones and deep ruts and for sure it was not easy to have stones in the middle of the road.

“The drivers that have finished the rally the first four didn’t have any punctures so the driving style has an effect for then punctures.

“I’m happy with the performance of the tyre. I cannot think of a rally without punctures. The puncture has unchangingly been part of the story.

“For sure if we have less punctures it would be largest for us but we cannot tenancy the stage conditions. On Friday it was in a terrible condition.”