Formula 1 is planning to get rid of tire blankets in 2024, raising fears of disaster. Electric tire blankets preheat the tires before bolting them to the cars. The concept has been in place in F1 since the mid-1980s. In recent years, the FIA has discussed banning tire blankets on environmental grounds to reduce energy consumption. But after a recent Ferrari accident at the World Endurance Championship, concerns are being raised about the ban.

Recently Antonio Fuoco lost control of the No. 50 Ferrari 499P and crashed after exiting the pit lane on a new set of Michelin slick tires. This could be costly for the Italian team considering the approximate worth of its Hypercar at $2 million.

After the race, the Head of Ferrari’s Attivita Sportive GT department, Antonello Coletta, warned that the ban on tire blankets could have “major ramifications for safety.” Because the crash simply happened as the tires were not preheated.

One of the biggest changes in the World Endurance Championship in 2023 is the ban on tire warmers. Pre-heated tires are essential for safer driving conditions on the track. Without them, cold tires can lead to drivers locking up and being unable to turn, potentially leading to more crashes.

Even with the use of tire blankets, you might have heard teams often complaining about not finding the grip and crashing. Now imagine the number of crashes without them. But many fans on Twitter have cited examples of how many motorsport series work well and have fewer crashes without tire blankets.

Fans debate the ban on Tire Blankets on Environmental grounds after Ferrari Hypercar’s crash in WEC

Banning tire blankets is a controversial one and it’s being hotly debated. Because the alternative methods used in heating the tires damage the environment more than the electric tire blankets.

But in #IMSA we have no tire warmers and there is no issues. Just saying. Think it's a driver problem not a tire problem. But that's my opinion!

— Jam (@You_Jam_Right) April 29, 2023

But in #IMSA we have no tire warmers and there is no issues. Just saying. Think it's a driver problem not a tire problem. But that's my opinion!

— Jam (@You_Jam_Right) April 29, 2023

No tyre warmers in the US and we don’t bin too many cars. Come race more with us … sure maybe the ambient and track temp is higher or the driver experience is just different. Or just learn to do a different out lap.

— theDrDalto (@theDrDalto) April 29, 2023

Also, sending cars up Eau Rouge at snails pace with freezing cold tyres into full race pace traffic is just unsafe and asking for trouble within itself

— Max O’Shaughnessy (@ESV_Moshys) April 30, 2023

For instance, in order to heat the tires naturally, the drivers have to do more laps than usual. This only wastes more fuel and harms the environment more. Pointing out the same hypocrisy, Twitteratti criticized the World Endurance Championship FIA. 

100% the drivers fault. He was in control of the gas pedal. That's all there is too it… DM him to complain. Everyone else in the field seems to be doing fine 🤷‍♂️

— Scott (@ST_Round) April 29, 2023

Ideally, people expect endurance racing drivers to manage their tires well. Considering the lengthy stints they do, it is uncharacteristic for Fuoco to falter in tire warmup & mess up Ferrari’s race like this.

Although, Ferrari’s F1 team has also experienced tire issues quite often. So, you never know if these tire troubles are in the Scuderia’s destiny.

Only he binned it, so clearly it's the humanoid operating the machinery, not the rules.

— siewweng (@siewweng) April 30, 2023

WATCH THIS STORY: What has become an Incessant Problem for Charles Leclerc & Carlos Sainz in Ferrari’s F1 Challenger? 

FIA lives in their own echo chamber of nothingness

— Zach (@mcsaucey__) April 29, 2023

It is tough to judge whether the fans blaming Fuoco are right or whether the FIA needs to get into action on this issue. Regardless, Ferrari needs to ensure they sort their tire troubles to mount a challenge against Toyota in this year’s Endurance Championship. Still, what do you think about Fuoco’s cold tires crash?