Pirelli wil try out a new version of its soft tyre in Friday practice at the German Grand Prix. The tyre firm's motorsport boss Paul Hembery said the revised compound was part of efforts to make the Pirelli range slightly more durable to ensure the number of pitstops in races did not become excessive. "It's not a big change from the current specification, but it is designed to fit in line with our latest versions of the P Zero Silver hard tyre and P Zero White medium, both of which are a little harder than their original specification in order to reduce degradation," he said. Hembery added that the tyre was still being evaluated at present and there were no firm plans for its introduction. "There's no decision yet on when we might use the new tyre yet, but it will be very interesting to hear all the feedback from the teams," he said.
Of all the Pirelli tyres, the soft tyre was working perfectly and lasted as long as a "soft" tyre should last. It worked well as both a prime and option tyre and it's the teams are very familiar with it - as it's been used at every race so far. I know that the soft/hard combo gave 4 pit stop races at tracks like Turkey and Spain, but they could always use the medium and hard for tracks where degradation is high. I don't think the soft tyre needs to be "improved" or more durable.
Perhaps some teams are struggling to keep them durable and have therefore conplained. A wild guess but you never know.
lol the soft suited the Ferrari most so does this dash the conspiricies that Pirelli are helping thier compatriots?
This. The hard compound could do with some changes (chronically slow and not even that durable) but the other three are fine. Also, Vettel managed something like 60 laps on a set of softs in Monaco, if they make the compound harder Monaco, one of the less dramatic events on the calendar, would become a one stop race.
I am pleased to hear that Pirelli are looking to develop a more durable but thoroughly useful tyre. I have been saying all along that there should be a realistic possibility for a team to choose a one-stop strategy if they feel like it, rather than forcing multi-stops which reduce the over all responsibility from the driver (than having fewer stops where the team plays a lesser role). Good move Pirelli. With a bit of luck this might eventually facilitate a subtle change in the rules which allows a team to choose two compounds (from three on offer)! I accept the logistical difficulties in supplying such a demand, but it would make things more interesting if there were more combinations for realistically achievable strategies for any team. As things stand, this is not remotely possible because Pirelli's longer lasting tyres tend not to have the necessary compensation in speed. Finding the right balance is a very difficult thing, but I hope that they will feel their efforts worthwhile in the long-run (sic).
Looks like Pirelli are also going to alter the shape of the rear tyres for next year by making them 'boxier'.
I want to see tyres with less traction characteristics ie. lower speed cars, more sideways slide, more spin under torque, slower degradation not edge of cliff.
Pirelli are looking at changing the shape of the rear tyres for next year. Nothing daft like making them square or anything.... .... well actually they will square off the side wall to the tread (the shoulder of the tyre). this should give a more even wear.
