Pirelli ‘Satisfied’ With F1 Tyre Performance in First Test
Two days of Formula One tyre testing concluded on August 18, and Pirelli discloses the purpose of this first test was to begin the process of determining the front and rear tyre profile and construction that will be used as the basis of its new PZero Formula One tyre. Driver Nick Heidfeld spent the two days behind the wheel of a Toyota TF109 in predominately dry and sunny conditions at the Mugello circuit in Italy. Fitted to the Toyota F1 car were sample prototype versions of the new PZero.
“This was the first step of our return to Formula One and we are very satisfied with how the tyres performed and the information we were able to collect,” commented Pirelli motorsport director, Paul Hembery. “We concentrated on finalising the profile and the construction of the front and rear tyres, which is a process that we will continue over the next few tests that we carry out.
“Mugello has quite an abrasive surface with long and medium-high-speed corners as well as hairpins and quick changes of direction so it is quite a good proving ground,” Hembery added. “We are on target and we come away from this test with lots of data to analyse, which is exactly the situation we hoped to be in.”
Hembery also acknowledged the input that has assisted Pirelli in getting tests underway less than two months after its official appointment as F1 tyre supplier. “A lot of people have made a big commitment to get to where we are today in a very short period of time and the effort really has been incredible. The Toyota team has also been very professional and provided a good, reliable car and we are all very happy to begin our relationship with Nick Heidfeld who gave us a lot of good feedback and suggestions.”
Pirelli will continue its Formula One tyre development programme later in August.
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