Red Bull’s Sergio Perez has expressed his concern at the further measures being taken next year to control the amount of heat teams can put into the tyres.
A raft of new technical regulations was introduced at the start of this year that saw the return of ground effect aerodynamics, as well as a different engine philosophy, and bigger tyres.
The 18-inch rubber has provided some difficulties for the drivers, one of which being visibility.
The deflectors over the front tyres already prove a slight hindrance to the drivers’ eyeline, and the tyres themselves are now effectively taller, causing a difficulty to spot apexes.
READ: Max Verstappen reveals secret deal he made at Monza
Sir Lewis Hamilton joked during pre-season testing that he would put a cushion under his bottom so that he could see better, and something his Mercedes team have had one or two issues with this year is heat.
There have been cooling issues in the engine of the W13, but they have often had difficulties keeping tyres warm, because there is more density for the heat to permeate.
It naturally takes longer to get the tyres up to temperature as a result, so the bigger tyres have necessitated some slightly different approaches.
Drivers can often be seen taking more than one out-lap before completing a qualifying run, otherwise they simply do not have the grip to set a solid lap time.
We also see a bigger difference in grip between tyre compounds than we used to before, and a lap of grip can lead to a poorly balanced car.
Inevitably, this results in crashes, and from 2024, it will be even harder to generate heat in the tyre.
The FIA are planning on banning tyre blankets after the end of next season, so cycling heat through the rubber is going to be the entirely on the driver.
Tyre blanket restrictions have already started in the pinnacle of motorsport; teams are only allowed to heat the tyres up to a maximum of 70 Degrees Celsius this year, down from 100 last year.
Next year, that will drop down to 50, before the blankets are scrapped entirely.
This, in Perez’s eyes, might not be the best idea.
READ: Christian Horner explains why he was shocked by Red Bull’s 2022 car
“I think already for next year they’re trying to go even lower [blanket temperatures],” he said, per Autosport.
“I feel like they’re putting the driver at risk because there are some situations where it can become quite dangerous.”
Further changes next year will see a raise of front wing edges and diffuser throats, as well as harsher deflection tests and more accurate oscillation sensors.