Drivers predict high tyre wear

[Hermann]

Formula 1's leading drivers are predicting tough times in dealing with tyres this year after witnessing high levels of degradation with the new Pirelli rubber in testing at Valencia.

As a number of teams got down to work with their 2011 cars this week, matters have been complicated by a big lap time drop-off on the softer rubber - which has been so large that it has raised some worries of potential tyre chaos in races if the situation does not improve.

Fernando Alonso said: "It was not easy to keep the tyres consistent. We see some drop in the tyres when they are new. The first lap is good and then you lose two or three seconds a lap. Then you are more or less consistent but obviously too slow."

Robert Kubica said he thought that the tyre degradation seen at Valencia was too extreme – although he acknowledged the weather conditions and track characteristics could be playing a factor in making the situation more extreme.

"Yes, it's too big," he said. "At least if you want to have a five or six-stop race then it is okay, but then we will need more tyres! I am joking.

"It really depends on which compound but clearly the situation improves with the harder compound. But it is not a problem of graining, it is wear. Suddenly the tyres are gone."

Lewis Hamilton, who was concentrating on tyre testing with an interim 2010 McLaren, also believed the situation would be good for racing.

"Now it looks like there is a quite a big difference between compounds, or so it seems for some people. For us I don't know if there was too big a difference," he explained.

"Obviously last year we had one pitstop and now the degradation is massive on these tyres and it might be for some people that they have to do two or three pitstops – which I think is quite good.

"I didn't actually like doing one pitstop last year, I didn't think it was as exciting as it was in the past when we did two or three. I'm hoping that we have to do more this year, because it adds more excitement."


http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89259



I'm sure it going to be really 'exciting' for Hamilton.

[Grillo]

I think it's good news. The Bridgestone last year were extremely too durable for my taste. I remembers a few races where some teams could do nearly the whole race using one set of tyres. Maybe the new tyres need some tweaking but I prefer the current scenario.

[Hornet]

I think 1 lap lifespan is a little too extreme. They definitely have to improve its softer compound.

As much as we love to see chaos, too many pits will kind of kill the race too. And the current soft compound degradation would leave everyone with the harder tire choice which means we're back to square one anyway, everyone on the same compound

[Rishu]

I think it's good news. The Bridgestone last year were extremely too durable for my taste. I remembers a few races where some teams could do nearly the whole race using one set of tyres. Maybe the new tyres need some tweaking but I prefer the current scenario.

I agree with you, as long as they are comparitively softer on F150

[Anni]

It will be though for the drivers. Be agressive and ruin the tires, or drive smooth to be nice to the them.
I like it! Last year´s races in the dry had been a bit boring sometimes, there was not too much diffrence in tirewear from driver to driver, no matter how there driving style was (okay, there were a few exaptions, but most of the drivers pitted about the same times), which made some races a little bit boring to me. Maybe this year will become more interessting

[vcs316]

It would definitely spice things up but I am sure teams would have voiced their concern to Pirelli and they would make modifications in the tyre compund which would make the tyres last longer. If nothing they would state its a "saftey issue" and have the tyre compunds changed!

[Anni]

It would definitely spice things up but I am sure teams would have voiced their concern to Pirelli and they would make modifications in the tyre compund which would make the tyres last longer. If nothing they would state its a "saftey issue" and have the tyre compunds changed!

Hope that´s not what´s going to happen, but unfortunalty you may be right.

[netlord]

Are there going to be "mandatory" stops this year?

[vcs316]

Are there going to be "mandatory" stops this year?

Yep, drivers have to use both tyres in the race.

[lizard_nl]

Remember Montreal last year. That's how tires should behave. Creates more excitement instead of one tire change and you are done.

[hogo]

I agree, awesome news! To see different tactics, 2, 3 or more pit stops a race would be great!

[TIFOSI_FERRARI]

ferrari must Analyzes the code of the new Pirelli rubber , it ambiguous to understand , but we trust on our gay to Decode de Pirelli Code.

[vcs316]

Pirelli tyres will spice up F1 races - Alonso

Fernando Alonso believes F1's switch to Pirelli tyres will lead to more exciting races in 2011.

"The tyres are not lasting as long as (the Bridgestone's did) last year," the Spaniard said in an interview with EFE news agency.

"After 15 or 20 laps they run out of life," added the Ferrari driver.

"I think it will change the way races are run this year; there will be different strategies and more pitstops," said Alonso.

"I hope this is good for the show, but for the teams and the drivers it will be a little more stressful."

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=400251