McLaren tries wheel covers with LED lights during F1 test

Formula 1 will switch to a new technical regulation in 2022. This includes switching to a different format of rims, which will have a diameter of 18 inches from next season. The wheel covers are also returning to the premier class for the first time since 2009. During the tire test at the Yas Marina Circuit, Lando Norris’ McLaren was fitted with wheel covers fitted with an LED panel. The British number 6 of the last championship only drove one flying lap with the LED covers, which may be used in F1 in the future to show various information.

“There was an idea to incorporate LEDs into the wheel covers and to also use these wheel covers for marketing purposes. That means you can show all kinds of messages,” Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola told Abu Dhabi Motorsport.com. “But of course it’s also something you have to test, because the wheel covers are also an element that can cause imbalance in the tyre. It is very important that the tire is well balanced, otherwise vibrations will occur.” According to Isola, a lot is possible with the LED wheel covers. “If you fit this device in and it works, you can do whatever you want. You can show your position, logos, your qualifying lap time and things like that. There are many possibilities. You have the technology, so it’s easy to program what you want to show.”

During Pirelli’s previous tests on the new rubber for 2022, some teams have already tried the returning wheel covers. The two-day tire test in Abu Dhabi is also the time for the other teams to try out the new components. It is a standard part, which means that all teams use the same wheel covers. Those hubcaps have been adjusted compared to the previous tests, Isola said. “Next year there will be standard rims, standard sensors and standard wheel covers for everyone. The first version of the wheel covers were very close to the rim and we had two problems with that,” the Italian noted.

“One was for the mechanics at the pit stops. They have to put their fingers in it and take the tires off the car, but that was not possible with the wheel cover. So that had to be adjusted. The second was that we couldn’t add the balanced weight on the outside. When you see the latest version of the wheel cover, there is a shape that covers the rim. But you also have one step closer to the rim which is helpful for the mechanics to grab the tire and for us to balance the weight. With this final version we can balance the tire when mounted with the wheel and wheel cover. If you fit the hubcap after balancing, that could be a problem.”