The Silverstone-based squad stood out on the grid this yr for the best way that it often went in to grand prix races with no new medium and onerous compound tyres left.
That was as a result of recurrently in free observe periods it scrubbed race units of tyres for a single lap.
The tactic brought about some intrigue and prompted theories that the workforce was doing it as a result of it believed that placing tyres via a managed and delicate warmth cycle in a observe lap might make the cured chemical compounds extra sturdy in race circumstances.
Nevertheless, Aston Martin’s efficiency director Tom McCullough has defined that its coverage was really prompted by it needing to ramp up its dwell pitstop tyre observe.
With its pit crew having had a tricky time adapting to the heavier 18-inch tyres this yr in comparison with different groups, particularly amid the heightened stress when a automotive is available in at racing speeds, Aston Martin elected to do one thing totally different.
McCullough stated: “Firstly of the yr, we had been actually combating pitstops: we had been the eighth, ninth or tenth finest workforce at pitstops. And you cannot actually race strategically with poor and inconsistent pitstops.
“We discovered that in observe we weren’t too unhealthy. However, because the automobiles are rolling into the field, particularly in a stack scenario, we struggled for numerous causes. So we began off by simply saying: ‘effectively, if we will do dwell pitstop observe throughout a race weekend, it helps. So what number of can we do?’
“Typically we do it on tyres that we do not even use within the race. So it’s simply to provide the pitstop observe a go. That’s the most important cause for doing it.”
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin AMR22
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photos
McCullough did consider, nevertheless, that there have been some particular occasions the place a scrubbed tyre could possibly be extra useful than a model new one for the race.
“We do attempt to perceive these compounds, and there are some very small circumstances at sure tracks the place perhaps it helps,” he stated. “However usually it isn’t the rationale we’re doing it.
“There are professionals and cons, however from a pure begin efficiency facet of issues, you wish to be on a brand new tyre.”
F1 tyre provider Pirelli had observed Aston Martin’s scrubbed tyre ways this yr, however had at all times doubted it introduced any efficiency benefit.
Talking just lately about whether or not there have been beneficial properties available from scrubbing tyres, Pirelli’s head of F1 and automotive racing Mario Isola stated: “I spoke to Aston Martin many occasions about that and for my part, with our tyres, with the traits of our compound, this isn’t very helpful, I’ll say.
“However it’s their alternative. It shouldn’t be forbidden. They usually can do this. Normally this lap to clean the tyre, perhaps you are taking out the height of grip, however you stabilise somewhat bit extra the compound. However it is dependent upon how the compound is designed.
“However the extent of curing of the compound and understanding our product, I’d say that isn’t actually making a distinction.”