F1 Teams Warned Over Tyre Temperature Breaches in Las Vegas
F1 teams were issued a warning after two were found to have slick tires above the 70C legal limit during final practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The FIA detected multiple infractions as teams pushed to generate tire temperature in the cool conditions, prompting an alert that deliberate rule-bending could lead to severe penalties, including disqualification.
Formula 1 teams have received a stern warning regarding tire temperature manipulation ahead of the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, after multiple teams were caught exceeding legal heating limits during final practice. This comes as teams push boundaries to generate optimal tire performance in the cold Las Vegas conditions.
Why it matters:
After years of struggling to mount a consistent title challenge, Ferrari's pursuit of a breakthrough engine could dramatically reshape the competitive landscape of F1. A powerful yet reliable power unit is crucial for a team aiming to challenge the established frontrunners and return to championship contention, a position they haven't held consistently since 2018.
The Details:
- Italian motorsport reports indicate Ferrari's 2026 engine is 'extreme' and could rival Mercedes', which is currently considered the benchmark in the field.
- The main challenge remains reliability, a recurring theme for aggressive power unit designs.
- Advanced Technology: Ferrari is exploring cutting-edge Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) technology. This technique combines different metal powders with other materials, such as ceramic, to create optimal components for the power unit.
- Potential benefits include improved reliability and enhanced cooling performance, a critical factor as demonstrated by McLaren's current season success with Mercedes engines.
- Aerodynamic Focus: Aerodynamic efficiency is another key area of focus. DMLS technology allows for the creation of complex and diverse geometric shapes, freeing the Scuderia to innovate in component design.
- Cooling Optimization: Staff at Maranello are also reportedly working on optimizing the size of radiators to further improve aerodynamic efficiency.
Looking Ahead:
While the success of any 2026 project remains uncertain, these developments hint at Ferrari's aggressive strategy to return to the top.
- The upcoming Project 678, which is set to be Chassis Director Loic Serra's first car since he joined Maranello in October last year, is expected to debut Ferrari's new direction.
- If the rumors hold true and the reliability issues can be resolved, Ferrari could surprise the grid and re-establish itself at the pinnacle of Formula 1.