Pirelli looking forward to continuous development
Petty developments in Formula One make a huge difference, and Pirelli is looking forward to make a slight change in their rubber compound, in order to provide the perfect combination of tyres for the 2011 season.
Bridgestone’s contract with Formula One ended last year and that marked the return of Pirelli to the sport after a gap of two decades. However, there were many drivers who complained about the front tyres last season, which caused them to struggle with the
grip and balance of the car.
All the teams tested Pirelli tyres soon after the end of the 2010 season in Abu Dhabi. The motor-sports director for Pirelli, Paul Hembery, said that the required adjustment was made to the front-tyres after feedback from the drivers.
Paul said, “We were asked to provide a slightly stronger front tyre, which is what we've done. In the process we maybe threw the rear out of balance, which is something that was noted during the test. But we've also improved that during the remaining tests
that we've done.”
The drivers wanted grip in the corners while turning the car. Paul added, “We were asked to try to beef up the front tyre, to give it more a precise input when the drivers turn into the corner, to give more feel. We believe we've done that, and we've now
finished the work on the rear so we'll see how we get on with a car designed around our tyres.”
Amongst many drivers who complained about the front-tyres last year was the seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher. The German returned to the sport after three years, and felt that the Bridgestone tyres were not good enough to provide him grip
in the corners, which ultimately resulted in a bad season for the former champion.
Schumacher returned to the sport with Mercedes GP, and the team Principal of Mercedes Ross Brawn echoed the concerns that the legendary driver had voiced. He said that Mercedes struggled throughout the season because of the front-tyres. Brawn claimed that
if the tyres suited their car, they would have been amongst the front-runners. He admitted that the top three teams Red Bull, Mclaren-Mercedes and Ferrari adjusted to the front-tyres quickly compared to the other teams.
The input from Schumacher was also significant for Pirelli, as the German will be the only driver on the grid next year, who had raced with the Pirelli tyres in Formula One before. It will be interesting to see whether Schumacher can benefit from his experience
with Pirelli in the upcoming season or not. However, Schumacher said that it would be too early for him to give any predictions.
Apart from the pre-season testing, Pirelli will also continue the testing programme during the 2011 season. The firm will continuously make developments during the next season as per the needs of the drivers.
The firm confirmed that some private testing will be done in Istanbul this year in April. The next tests will be conducted in May in Barcelona. The firm will then return to the Middle-East at the end of the 2011 season with testing in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.
There are some other tests being planned by Pirelli but they haven’t been finalised yet. The firm didn’t manage to hold tests at Silverstone but they are in talks with the organisers in Monza and Spa.
Paul Hembery said that the development programme will continue throughout the 2011 Formula One season, and the firm is also looking forward to the 2012 season with a number of potential development programmes.
The switch from Bridgestone to Pirelli may bring about a significant change in the upcoming season, and all the teams will be looking forward to the challenge.
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