Paul Hembery thinks Turkish Grand Prix will be tough on Pirelli tyres – Formula 1 update
Pirelli motorsport director, Paul Hembery, predicts a tough test of the Pirelli tyres in the upcoming Turkish Grand Prix. Paul commented that the Pirelli tyres will degrade according to the venue and environment of the track and Turkey will be a challenge
for teams.
Pirelli tyres overtook Bridgestone tyres from last year. The company faced lots of criticism from the teams and drivers about the fact that the tyres degrade more than any of the brands being used in the past including Goodyear, Michelin and others.
As the season started and the teams moved to Melbourne for the season opener, the views about the Pirelli tyres changed. The high degradation of the tyres was seen as a positive thing and drivers used it to their advantage in overtaking and a stealing the
lead from competitors.
Paul Hembery appreciated the fact and said, “We have had a lot of credit from a lot of people about the nature of the races so far - and if we continue like that we will have a great season.” He further commented that different races will play out differently
on the Pirelli tyres and the next in line, the Turkish Grand Prix, will be tough on Pirelli and tires.
“It is going to vary race to race, and circuit to circuit, depending on what tyre of surface it is. The next race in Istanbul is very tough on tyres - and is probably the worst for us as a tyre maker. So that will change again the type of strategy needed
in a race,” added Paul.
Paul explained that the hard and soft compound era will be over after the Turkish Grand Prix and super soft tyres, with its side wall painted red, will hit the road at the upcoming Canadian and Monte Carlo Grand Prix.
Up until now, more than 150 overtaking manoeuvres have been completed without putting the driver or the car at risk. Most of them were Pirelli induced and some due to Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) and Drag Reduction System (DRS).
For now the Turkish Grand Prix is next in line on the 8th of May and the teams are ready to use the Pirelli tires to their advantage.
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