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F1: Pirelli pushing to improve hard tire

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Khatir Soltani
From GMM

F1 teams will test an evolution of Pirelli's 'hard' tire compound in Turkey on Friday.

The sport's official supplier, worried in particular about Istanbul Park's awesome Turn 8, tested an ultra-hard tire at the circuit recently but ultimately decided to take its regular hard tire to the race this weekend.

Tire degradation has been high in 2011, and Turn 8 will be easily the toughest challenge faced by Pirelli so far.

"We will be interested to see if it (Turn 8) throws up an anomaly," admitted Marussia Virgin team boss John Booth.

Another tough challenge awaits two weeks later, where Circuit de Catalunya features an abrasive surface and the long sweeping right-hander near the start of the lap.

"If (in Turkey) we see the results that we expect from this life-sized test of the new tire, our aim will be to use it in Barcelona," confirmed Pirelli's research and development director Maurizio Boiocchi.

"This tire will provide less degradation and so we expect it to last longer, but the warm-up time will also be a little longer and there will be less grip," he added.


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada