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F1: Teams to try new specification Pirelli tire at Silverstone

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Khatir Soltani
At Silverstone, Formula 1 teams will test the new specification of Pirelli P Zero tire that will be used from the Grand Prix of Hungary onwards – with the 2013 compounds matched to the 2012 construction.

In agreement with the FIA, the annual allocation of tire sets for testing purposes has been increased by five to 105 in total.

In addition to the test allocation of 105 sets (minus those already used), Pirelli will bring seven further sets of tires to Silverstone, which are made up of three hard compound tires, two medium compound tires and two prototype hard compound tires, the latter having already been available for testing during the Friday practice sessions of the Spanish and British Grand Prix this year.

Current race drivers (who may only take part in this test on condition that they do tire testing based on run plans supplied by Pirelli) may use this additional tire allocation.

F1 Pirelli
Photo: Pirelli

The tires that will be used this week are all in the specification that will be used from Hungary onwards, with a 2012-style Aramid construction matched to the current compounds. All the remaining sets from each team’s existing test allocation have been reproduced to match the new constructions.

Although the overall specification of the tires tested at Silverstone is new, the teams will still be very familiar with their characteristics, as they have plenty of data on the construction from last year and this year’s compounds.

The work done will consist mainly of refining the car-tire package to get the most out of the new specification.


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
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