Pirelli says 2011 Formula 1 season tyres not designed for any specific driver – Formula 1 news
Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery has told the media that they did not design the new 2011 tyres with any specific driver in mind.
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) introduced the soft and super-soft Pirelli rubber for the 2011 Formula 1 season. They did that in order to induce more degradation and involve the element of race strategy in the races.
Some F1 drivers, including Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher, struggled on the 2010 Bridgestone tyres and could not do well.
As the new Pirelli tyres have been introduced, Paul insisted, “We did not design our tyres for the specific needs of a driver like Michael Schumacher in mind.”
In the pre-season tests, all F1 teams used the four different Pirelli compounds. However, some drivers highly criticised the Pirelli rubber as they faced massive issues regarding the tyres.
After the Valencia test, Formula 1 drivers were at unease about the new Pirelli tyres and admitted that they were not as comfortable as they expected. The 42-year-old Schumacher said that he felt as if he was ‘driving on ice’ during his first testing. The
injured Robert Kubica, who was quickest on day three of the test session, was not happy with new tyres. However, Felipe Massa was not troubled by the new tyre wear. Despite discomfort with the tyres, Pirelli’s overall feedback was positive.
At the end of session, Paul said ahead of positive feedback, “First and foremost, we've enjoyed perfect reliability over the three days, which has enabled the teams to get on with their test programmed at a crucial time of year as they launch their new cars.”
In the Jerez and Barcelona tests, the drivers experienced the degradation issue of the tyres which increased the pit stops of F1 cars during the testing.
On the other hand, Sebastian Vettel disapproved the working of new Pirelli tyres recently. He went on to say, “The problem is the tyres wear down too fast. They are only good for 16 or 17 laps, then they start to break up and are ruined, then the driver
doesn't have a chance. The feeling when driving is different and that is a pity for us.”
Paul stated ahead of F1’s forthcoming development programme that the races are now an even greater challenge for different strategists and drivers.
It will be interesting to see the working of four different compounds of Pirelli tyres in the upcoming season that is expected to start on March 27, 2011 in Melbourne.
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