60 Second Spotlight on Vasilis Tsinias, BWT Alpine Formula One
Ahead of the Tyre Testing Seminar on 20 March at HORIBA MIRA we caught up with Vasilis Tsinias to hear his thoughts on the topic.
Briefly explain your current role.
My current role is Tyre Performance Section Leader at BWT Alpine Formula One Team and I am heading a group of engineers who are responsible for all aspects of tyre performance across the team, from maintaining and developing our tyre models to supporting trackside activities for tyre performance optimisation.
Why do you believe tyre modelling is critical for automotive innovation today?
As a vehicle system, a tyre is an inherently complex structure. The ability to model an ever-expanding list of phenomena associated with tyre utilisation allows for improving integration with the rest of the vehicle and results in an overall more optimised product.
What is the most exciting development or trend in your area of tyre research or testing?
The ability to predict how a race car will behave at a given track and what the main performance limitations will be well ahead of travelling gives any team the ability to optimise car setup even before turning a wheel. Adding to the mix unknown weather conditions or even track resurfacing is keeping things exciting!
What do you see as the biggest challenge in tyre modelling and simulation?
When it comes to tyre modelling, I think the biggest challenge is to understand the underlying science and the ability to model it in a computationally efficient way.
How do you see tyre modelling evolving over the next 10 years?
In the next few years, I can imagine AI being more integrated into tyre modelling, from parameter identification all the way to full AI grey box tyre models. But maybe we are already there and AI will completely revolutionise how we are thinking about tyre modelling!
How does sustainability influence your work or research in tyre testing and modelling?
There is a big sustainability push across the racing industry meaning that long gone are the days of infinite track testing. In the current era, any physical tyre testing (at the track or in the lab) has to be targeted as the opportunities are few and sparse.
How does sustainability influence your work or research in tyre testing and modelling?
There is a big sustainability push across the racing industry meaning that long gone are the days of infinite track testing. In the current era, any physical tyre testing (at the track or in the lab) has to be targeted as the opportunities are few and sparse.
How important is collaboration between academia and industry in advancing tyre technology?
I would say that Academia has an almost unparallel know-how in terms of tyre scientific understanding which is coupled with an almost de-facto ability to investigate high risk / high reward avenues.