Kamui Kobayashi says tyre management vital in Turkey, difficult to predict outcome – Formula 1 News
Sauber’s driver, Kamui Kobayashi, predicts that Pirelli tyres will be hard to manage in the upcoming Turkish Grand Prix. The Japanese said that tyre management will be a key in Sunday’s race and it is difficult to predict the outcome of the event.
Kamui stated that the track is usually slippery and cars tend to skid, which will make tyre management very important.
Kobayashi said, “Regarding tyre management, I find it difficult to predict how the situation will develop. The grip level at this circuit is normally very low, which means the cars tend to slide a lot.” He further added that the front tyres will be more
crucial to manage and will decide the balance of the car.
Pirelli tyres have taken centre place in the teams’ strategy, as their use has been decisive in the outcome of the race. Sauber’s Technical Director, James Key also shares the same idea, as he explained that the Turkey circuit will take out more out of Pirelli
tyres.
James said, “It will be interesting to see how well the tyres cope with that in terms of wear and degradation. This could result in some alternative strategies in the race, but we will not know until we get there... Tyre management could be the key to the
weekend of the Turkish Grand Prix.”
He further added that turn eight of the Turkish track will take much out of the tyres, because it is one of the sharpest corners of the 2011 tracks.
Sauber are currently placed at a modest sixth place in the constructor’s table, with seven points and no podium finish. Their car, C31, has a good straight line speed, but it does not match the likes of Red Bull, McLaren or Ferrari machines.
Sauber’s car, C31, got penalised in the Melbourne Grand Prix when the rear wing was found conflicting with Formula 1 rules. Sauber’s cars are constantly being overtaken by many front running cars in the races this season, which is a concern for the team.
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