Formula One supplier Pirelli satisfied with initial tyre test
Pirelli is all ready and set to replace Bridgestone for the upcoming season of Formula One. Bridgestone, that has been supplying its Portenza tyres to Formula One for more than ten years now, announced earlier this year to end their contract with the sport. Owing to their withdrawal the sport signed Pirelli to take the former’s place as being the sole tyre provider to all the teams starting from 2011.
As the current season is about to enter its last stages all the teams and other stake holders move forward to finalise their plans and strategies for the upcoming season. Pirelli is also taking the last and the most crucial steps required for the next season and that is its testing phase. This Wednesday they took their first step successfully, as Nick Heidfeld completed a two-day test of the tyres at Toyota TF109.
Heidfeld, who was signed as the reserve driver for Mercedes GP for the season has been newly-appointed by Pirelli, after he was released by his former team. This week he tested a sampled prototype version of the PZero Formula One tyre of the Italian company. These tyres are to be used by all the teams from 2011 onwards for a period of three-years as per the agreement signed by the manufactures with FIA.
The tests had been held in largely dry and sunny conditions in Italy at the Mugello track in order to begin the process of understanding the front and rear tyre profile as well as its construction. The analysis driven from these tests would be used as the basis of the new Formula One tyre that would be designed for the next year and onwards.
Pirelli's entire team seems satisfied with the way the first test had been carried out. Their Motorsport Director, Paul Hembery, says that this was the first step of their return to the sport after around two decades. He feels satisfied as the tyres have performed brilliantly and also because they had been able to collect a large amount of information. He further explained that the team concentrated on concluding the final profile for further construction of the front and rear tyres. So far they are going accurately with their predefined target as they had collected lots of data for further analysis from this test which is exactly what they wanted.
The process will continue over the next few tests as well so that the most accurate and precise results could be obtained.
The circuit of Mugello offers a very rough surface along with several long and medium-high-speed corners in addition to its tricky hairpins and quick changes. Therefore, it is considered as a very good ground for carrying out these tests.
Pirelli had been carrying out a few tests every now and then, two months after they signed the agreement with Formula One racing.
Hembery, while talking to the media, after the test was successfully carried out, said that he is happy where they stand today and he wants to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of many people, who made Pirelli stand where they are today in very little time. He stated that their effort and hard work is really incredible.
He also thanked the Toyota team, which had been very professional and supportive. He further expressed his gratitude for such a good, reliable car which had helped them immensely in making some very good initial analysis.
Moreover, he concluded saying that the entire crew of Pirelli is very happy to have made Nick Heidfeld a part of the team. His feedback and suggestions are very helpful for them for further planning.
Pirelli has planned to carry out a number of tests for their Formula One tyre development program in the coming days.
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