Mario Isola the “head of the week” in sports?

The Italian is a sporty type, but not an athlete.

He drives an ambulance in his spare time.

A good year ago it was a tough time for the Milanese.

Despite terrible experiences with all the corona infected people behind him, a blessing, as he says.

One gets grounded.

Isola, 51 years old, stands in the Formula 1 paddock every day.

Anno Hecker

Responsible editor for sports.

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    He is probably the least known long-term winner. They all drive their tires. That's the problem. Pirelli's monopoly in Formula 1, headed by sports director Isola, keeps costs down because there is no longer a crazy arms race. In Indianapolis in 2005 only cars circled on Bridgestone rubber because the Michelin tires would have blown the pilots in the banked bend. A nightmare.

    The disaster made it clear to the world how important tires are, vital.

    From the pilot's point of view, because they are the crucial link between him, the car and the road.

    Where the journey goes depends on the tires.

    A science.

    Today we speak of the “temperature window” that one has to look for in order for them to work.

    If you find what you are looking for, you can become a hero in no time at all.

    If you miss the time, you slip offside.

    A tricky game in Formula 1

    That's why the drivers like to scold so much. That is why the Formula 1 boss, Stefano Domenicali, asked the drivers to consider every word before the season started. But they can't help but question the maturity of the tires. Your wellbeing depends on it. You want rubbers that stick anytime, anywhere. For your curve frenzy. A tricky game. The construction of such tires is prone to damage.

    Two weeks ago in Baku, Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) and then Max Verstappen (Red Bull), while in the lead, lost control of their racing cars at more than 300 kilometers per hour.

    You were unharmed.

    One rear tire had lost its shape and frame.

    Now we understand why Isola can only lose.

    If its tires cannot withstand the load in front of millions of spectators, the damage is hard to believe: Are the tires a safety risk?

    No, claims the former test driver with a view to his laboratory analysis: no material or quality defect!

    He considers the "operating conditions" to be the cause of the accident, in other words: the people.

    The Red Bull and Aston Martin racing teams mentioned between the lines promptly revolted.

    Red Bull replied that they had adhered to the prescribed tire pressure “at all times”.

    You have to believe it until the contrary is proven. Although the game with tire pressure alarmed the International Automobile Association FIA. He believes he knows that if the tires are heated up before the tire pressure is checked, the tire pressure will reach the required level, but then it will decrease when it cools, which increases the grip - and the risk of overloading. Racing drivers and racing teams are cross-border commuters. Who knows what kind of pressure there is when changing tires during a race?

    The FIA, rulers, security police and judge in one, listened to Mario Isola. From the race on this Sunday (3 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker on Formula 1 and on Sky) in France, the valves will be sealed, infrared cameras will be used to check the temperature - and the air pressure will be checked for the first time after the race, randomly. Some at the wheel may not like this pressure. But when in doubt, Isola's victory is healthy for her.