Formula 1: Pirelli begins wet test sessions
Pirelli is expected to begin an extensive test session of its wet weather tyres in Abu Dhabi soon.
This test session is being held mainly for the wet conditions during a night race. The first group test session will take place in February 2011 where all the teams will be able to get their hands on the new tyres for the first time.
Pirelli’s test driver Pedro de la Rosa is expected to complete 6 hours of testing each night using both intermediate compound and full wet tyres compound at the Yas Marina Bay which will be soaked with water. This is going to be the first wet weather testing
of the new tyre suppliers Pirelli and the first-ever overnight Formula 1 test.
“This is a unique opportunity to witness a Formula One test car on track at night in the wet and on hot tarmac, in an entirely floodlit setting. We decided to do it this way because we want to challenge our rain tyres with the most difficult and demanding
of all situations,” Pirelli director Paul Hembery explained.
Pirelli wanted to test in Abu Dhabi mainly because the Yas Marina circuit has a warmer track temperature that should simulate something closer to the actual wet conditions experienced during the races in Formula 1.
“These tests will provide us with useful information to finalise our tyre development process for Formula One. It is seven months since we started developing our tyres and five since we started with the actual testing,” Paul added.
According to the statistics, Pirelli has completed 13,000 kilometres of testing for the 2011 Formula 1 season using their new tyre compounds and they are happy with the results so far.
The 2011 Formula 1 season is expected to begin on 13 March in Bahrain. The 12 teams will get a chance to test the new tyres before that at the pre-season test sessions and it is expected that they will run another 1,000 kilometres.
“Soon it will be time to get started in Spain where the first official test of the season will take place. We will use this opportunity to gather more feedback from teams and drivers and be ready for the Bahrain Grand Prix in March,” stated Hembery.
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