Pirelli announces compounds for first four F1 races

Pirelli has announced that it will take its hard and soft slick compounds to the first four Grands Prix of the 2011 season. Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery suggested the compounds would offer the best racing for both spectators and drivers in Bahrain – currently under threat due to ongoing political protests, according to the sport's UK broadcaster the BBC – Australia, Malaysia and China. The manufacturer said the decision had been reached on the back of data collected in 18,000km of private testing in Europe and the Middle East, as well as three group tests to date.

The hard tyre will be the prime tyre and the soft the option, with Pirelli anticipating track characteristics in the Middle and Far East offering high grip and a wide variety of speeds and corners, as well as ambient and track temperatures that are likely to be high.

The hard tyre is designed to offer a balance between performance and durability in these tough conditions, while the soft tyre should allow drivers extra speed at the expense of resistance. Pirelli is aiming to make two pit stops the minimum necessary for drivers to complete races, which should clear the path for more variable strategic options.
 
Hembery commented: “The valuable data that we’ve collected from both official and private testing has shown us that our nomination of hard and soft tyres is the best way forward for both the drivers and the spectators, so we look forward now to a successful Grand Prix debut and a great show in the Middle and Far East over the next four races. We’ve enjoyed great collaboration with the teams so far, and with the nominated compounds for the next four races now known, I am sure that this will help to focus their development for the start of the season.”

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