In a press conference today, the FIA’s Max Mosley revealed that the FIA will allow active tire pressure systems in
F1, beginning in 2008. This coincides with a change from the high profile grooved tires now required to lower profile
slick tires.
Active tire pressure systems are intended to increase safety by stabilizing tire pressures when track temperatures
change or when the cars are slowed during safety car periods. Low tire pressures in cold tires have been blamed for a
number of on-track incidents so far this year. Tire and auto manufacturers are also interested in the technology for
road cars.
With the prospect of raising or lowering tire pressures on demand, it will be interesting to see how the engineers can
work this to create a performance advantage.