Pirelli taking evolved silver tyre to Spanish Grand Prix
Pirelli is returning to the scene of some of its pre-season F1 testing this weekend, the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo on the outskirts of Barcelona. The supplier’s PZero tyres – or at least, previous iterations of the evolving rubber – have been seen there four times already: once last year in private testing, twice this year during the official test ‘season’, and once more as part of Pirelli’s on-going private test campaign last month. This means that teams and Pirelli alike have a good deal of data on Barcelona, with its challenging mixture of corners and speeds highlighting every aspect of a car’s performance. Motorsport director at the Italian brand Paul Hembery says “the new tyre – which we have tested extensively – reduces degradation and improves tyre wear.
“We said from the start of the year that we would introduce evolutions of the tyres if we believed that they would benefit the sport and Barcelona marks the first occasion that we have done this… It’s not a huge step over the original hard tyre but it does mean that there is a bigger gap between the soft and the hard tyre, which will definitely make things even more interesting on race day and give teams the opportunity to use more creative strategies. In Barcelona, based on the data we have seen in testing, we’re probably expecting around three pit stops per car. It takes a lot longer to enter and leave the pits in Barcelona than it did in Turkey, and this is another factor that will have a definite influence on strategy.”
The new compound was tested by teams during Friday’s free practice in Turkey, as well as during private sessions in Barcelona and Turkey, using Pirelli’s Toyota TF109 test car. It should give the teams an opportunity to run more aggressive strategies, while the PZero Yellow tyre, a soft compound, will also be available, having been used at every race so far this year.
Jaime Alguersuari of the Toro Rosso team comments: “We know the Catalunya circuit very well, because of all the testing the teams do there. However, when we come to this year’s Spanish Grand Prix, the situation will be quite different in terms of tyre performance because of the increase in air and track temperature. During winter testing the tyres were never really operating in their correct working range of temperature, so it was difficult to get them warmed up. Nevertheless, it was useful in terms of giving you some idea about tyre balance and even degradation.
“Sector three of the track will be the key to the lap time and the part of the circuit where tyre behaviour will play a vital role. This part of the track is tough on the tyres and then there is turn 12, which will be quite tricky as it is very demanding and you can really feel the tyres working here. Also, the exit to the final corner is going to be interesting in terms of the tyres because of the loads they are subjected to here. In qualifying, it will be important to get the tyres working properly, as you will only want to do one lap to set a time, in order to keep the tyres as fresh as possible for the race.”
Pirelli provides some technical notes on the circuit too: “Barcelona puts particular stress on the front-left tyre, due to the high number of right-hand corners. There are 16 corners in total on the 4.655-kilometre track, which has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix since 1991.
“Weather conditions are expected to be dry and warm over the race weekend, with temperatures in the region of 22 degrees centigrade. Only four teams – Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Williams – have experience of using Pirelli’s rain tyres in Barcelona, having nominated the wet final day of the March test to run in.
“The highest number of pit stops at the Spanish Grand Prix took place during the 1995 race. There were 59 stops in total: an average of 2.3 per driver. The fewest pit stops occurred during the 1992 race with just seven stops: only 0.3 per driver.”
Pirelli claims a very active market presence in Spain, saying it is the “second most prominent tyre company… in terms of sales and brand recognition”, as well as being “the sales leader… when it comes to motorbike tyres”. The company bought its first factory in Manresa, close to Barcelona, currently running as a leading logistics service among the tyre companies in Spain. The country hosts two Grands Prix and four international motorbike races, while Pirelli also boasts a rallying presence in the country.
Related news:
- Pirelli announces upcoming F1 tyre choices
- Pirelli responds to F1 driver “concern over ‘tyre marbles’”
- Pirelli, F1 teams return to Barcelona for further tests
- Low Barca temperatures led to different F1 tyre characteristics: Hembery
- F1 “Matching Pirelli’s Global Ambition”: Hembery
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