Pastor Maldonado believes he understands the 2012 Pirelli tyres – Formula 1 news
Pastor Maldonado believes that he has a better understanding of the Pirelli’s compounds than he did in 2011.
The Pirelli tyres have been a topic of discussion for the most part of the 2012 season as quite a few drivers have found it difficult to understand.
The tyres have had a significant impact on the outcomes of the races in the season so far. Jenson Button of McLaren and Michael Schumacher of Mercedes have both found it hard to deal with the tyres. Schumacher blamed some of his bad results on the tyre and
McLaren team have admitted that the tyres have troubled Button in the races.
Maldonado who claimed his maiden victory at the Spanish Grand Prix has said that he understands the compounds and knows how to best manage them. The Venezuelan driver was looking good at the European Grand Prix as he was fighting it out with Lewis Hamilton
for the third place.
Hamilton was losing the battle as his tyres were wearing out quickly but Maldonado got a little impatient and tried to overtake Hamilton but collided with him in the process ending the Brits race and finishing at 10th place. After the stewards penalised
the Venezuelan he lost the only point he had scored in the race.
“I think I understand the tyres very well,” said Maldonado. “Much better than last year. Even if they changed for this year, I have a great feeling.”
He added, “I know exactly what to do to look after the tyres, how to manage the race to get a longer life from them. I am always trying to improve, but I think the combination between me, the car, and the tyres is good at the moment.”
Maldonado admitted that he had to work hard to understand the nature of the compounds but that now he understands them well and considering how close the year has been. It may prove to be the difference.
“These tyres are working with a small window of temperature,” he added. “As soon as you are slightly out of that range, you are nowhere. It is very difficult to put a lap together, and the gaps are so small. As soon as you lose two tenths, it is difficult
even to get into the top 10.”
It will be interesting to see how Maldonado fares in the coming races.
Tags: