Wanted: F1 test car

With the 2012 season on the horizon, Formula One’s tyre supplier is looking towards 2013 to develop its product further; however, developments have hit a road block due to the unavailability of a suitable testing vehicle. Pirelli’s Motorsport director, Paul Hembery told Autosport magazine that its hunt for a 2011 car is being compromised by F1 teams’ hawkish attitude to the possibility of another team gaining an advantage by donating its car to the tyre supplier.

“There has been a suggestion that we could modify the 2009 Toyota, but the car is now in a museum and it is not a realistic proposition, Hembery explained. He also told the British motorsport magazine that the extended wait for F1 teams to reach a consensus could result in Pirelli approaching a team individually. He also explained that the company was not interested in favouring one team; indeed, the company will share its data openly, while Pirelli will use its own test driver to perform the work.

One other solution that Hembery calls “quite possible” is for every team to be given products and a black box to generate data for the manufacturer itself. However, the director stressed the necessity of performing tests in “a number of sessions” in order to develop its 2013 specification.

Related news:

• Pirelli hosts Mini JCWs, fundraising F1 simulator at Autosport
• Former Bridgestone motorsport boss hired by Ferrari F1
• Pirelli takes F1 tyres ‘full circle’ to Abu Dhabi