Michael Schumacher: Pirelli tyres won't make immediate impact
As Pirelli enters the last phase of is testing session in preparation to become sole tyre supplier of Formula One in the 2011 season, Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher has expressed his thoughts on the
how much of an impact the change in tyres will have. The seven-time world champion, who has struggled continuously with the Bridgestone models this year, claimed that it will take time for him to get a feel for how the new tyres perform on his car.
“There is a question of what I will experience at the first test [in Abu Dhabi], and the other thing is how much it will develop from there to the beginning of the season and through the season,” stated
the 41-year-old veteran.
“There is [also] a question mark about if the tyres we have in Abu Dhabi are the tyres that we will start the season with, and we will continue the season with. Depending on what is the situation there,
you will get a quick read because you know how the car was with the Bridgestone tyres and then you understand quickly what it is with Pirelli tyres.”
The German has faced considerable difficulty adapting to his vehicle in the first year of his F1 comeback, and has been constantly outperformed by team-mate and compatriot Nico Rosberg. Yet Schumacher,
beating down rumours that he will quit F1 at the end of the season, stressed the importance of giving a team time to evolve and develop gradually.
“We know that we have nothing to win this year whereas the other three teams are fighting for the championship. We have at this moment a little bit of a time advantage," Schumacher said of Mercedes.
“At the same time don't forget that we have slightly smaller resources, so we hope that this can compensate, and we can do a very good job. Focusing on next year’s car is vital in our position – in order
to be competitive and to have similar playing fields from then on.”
Drivers will test the new tyres at the end of the season after the championship climax in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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