Italian tire manufacturer Pirelli have announced Gymkhana legend and World Rally Championship star Ken Block is to be given the chance to drive their Formula 1 test car.
Ken Block will get behind the wheel on August 5 for a one-off drive at the famed Monza circuit in Italy.
Pirelli's test car, a Toyota was used in competition throughout the 2009 Grand Prix season but has since undergone aerodynamic and weight distribution modifications to simulate the latest Formula 1 regulations, which Pirelli's current PZero tires are designed for.
Immediately before Block enjoys his first taste of F1 power, the car will already have completed two days of testing at Monza in the hands of Pirelli test driver Lucas di Grassi , who will be assessing the latest evolutions of the PZero products for the future. Di Grassi will remain on hand to help give Block some tips and advice as he makes his F1 debut.
Block is set to use Pirelli’s softer compounds as he gets up to speed with the 700-horsepower F1 challenger, which was a regular podium finisher two years ago. The two softest tires in the PZero range - PZero Red (supersoft) and PZero Yellow (soft) - will give Block the grip and confidence he needs to get used to the car. In particular, these tires reach their operating temperature of around 100 degrees centigrade in less than two laps.
Later on in the test, he should get the chance to try out the two harder compounds: PZero White (medium) and PZero Silver (hard). These tires have a little less performance than the softer tires, but increased durability and resistance to high temperatures - not to mention ‘gymkhana’ style doughnuts.
Ken Block will get behind the wheel on August 5 for a one-off drive at the famed Monza circuit in Italy.
Pirelli's test car, a Toyota was used in competition throughout the 2009 Grand Prix season but has since undergone aerodynamic and weight distribution modifications to simulate the latest Formula 1 regulations, which Pirelli's current PZero tires are designed for.
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| The Toyota TF109 used by Pirelli - Photo: Pirelli |
Immediately before Block enjoys his first taste of F1 power, the car will already have completed two days of testing at Monza in the hands of Pirelli test driver Lucas di Grassi , who will be assessing the latest evolutions of the PZero products for the future. Di Grassi will remain on hand to help give Block some tips and advice as he makes his F1 debut.
Block is set to use Pirelli’s softer compounds as he gets up to speed with the 700-horsepower F1 challenger, which was a regular podium finisher two years ago. The two softest tires in the PZero range - PZero Red (supersoft) and PZero Yellow (soft) - will give Block the grip and confidence he needs to get used to the car. In particular, these tires reach their operating temperature of around 100 degrees centigrade in less than two laps.
Later on in the test, he should get the chance to try out the two harder compounds: PZero White (medium) and PZero Silver (hard). These tires have a little less performance than the softer tires, but increased durability and resistance to high temperatures - not to mention ‘gymkhana’ style doughnuts.