Pirelli boss Paul Hembery satisfied with new tyre compound
Pirelli boss Paul Hembery recently stated that he is quite happy with the progress of the new tyre compounds that have been introduced by the company for the 2011 Formula 1 season. Hembery also remarked that the lone tyre supplying company is ready for the
race opener that is expected to take place on the 13 March, 2011 in Bahrain, after the final pre-season test session that will take place at the same venue.
It has been revealed, that the new Pirelli tyres wear off quicker than the Bridgestone tyres, but Hembery commented that the teams would need to alter their strategies in 2011 and dismissed the rumours that the teams might have to go through four tyre changes
per car at some venues.
“From the data we've seen, I'd question why anyone would be doing four. There might be three, but there is differences between teams. I still envisage two, and in the worst case maybe someone will have to do three, but four doesn't match the data that we've
seen, that would be very strange,” he told the media.
It is quite clear that the teams are satisfied with the new tyres as each driver had the opportunity to test them personally. Drivers like Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa who were unsatisfied with the 2010 Bridgestone tyres, also stated that they are
now more confident about the season with the new tyre compounds introduced by Pirelli suiting their driving styles.
“We're trying to find the fine balance between longevity and forcing teams to make tyre changes. If you make a tyre that lasts too long, the teams will do one tyre change, which is what they have done in the past,” Hembery added.
Hembery feels that the drivers will have to take care of their tyres if they want to get more laps out of them and that is going to add another interesting element to the sport in 2011. It is going to make Formula 1 even more interesting and dramatic.
However, he admitted that the tyre suppliers are still trying their best to work even harder on the new tyre compounds and pull out better results from them. Since the teams and drivers are testing the new tyres and obviously giving their own suggestions,
the tyre suppliers are not getting a clear picture of what the 2011 Formula 1 season requires.
It is going to be interesting to see what Pirelli does in the upcoming pre-season test sessions and since the season opening race is drawing nearer, the tyre supplier is working hard to make the best possible first impression on their fans and the teams.
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