Pirelli has equipped the new McLaren W1 supercar with three bespoke tires made from 50% bio-based and recycled materials, as certified by Bureau Veritas. The tires – P Zero R, P Zero Trofeo RS and P Zero Winter 2 – have been specially developed by Pirelli in collaboration with McLaren.
The project involved close cooperation between the companies’ R&D teams, from the earliest stages of development and testing. Initially working in a virtual environment, supported by simulation technology, the engineers progressed to physical tests to assess tire performance in differing weather and surface conditions. Locations included the Nardò circuit in southern Italy, the Idiada track in Spain and Pirelli’s Sottozero Centre in Sweden.
The tire development paid specific attention to the McLaren W1’s credentials: its hybrid powertrain can deliver up to 1,275ps and 1,340Nm through the rear wheels; it is capable of 0-300kph in less than 12.7 seconds and has a maximum speed electronically limited to 350km/h; and it also has a Race mode that generates up to 1,000kg of downforce.
The P Zero R, the first developed for a McLaren, has been designed for daily driving; the P Zero Trofeo RS is a track-biased tire for consistent high performance; and the P Zero Winter handles colder seasons.
In related news, Hankook enters fourth year as exclusive tire supplier to Formula E as S12 pre-season testing kicks off in Valencia
