Pirelli to test experimental hard compound at Silverstone

It has been confirmed that Pirelli will issue the teams with a new experimental hard P Zero compound for free practice on Friday, when track action officially gets underway for this weekends British Grand Prix. The new experimental compound may well be used in the future, and has a slightly wider working range than the current hard compound.

This new tyre compound will be on offer to the teams alongside their usual allocation of tyres for the weekend. Once the two Friday practice sessions are over, the teams will revert to their usual P Zero hard (silver) and P Zero soft (yellow) tyres for the remainder of the weekend. The teams will also have the Cinturato intermediate (green) and full wet (blue) tyres on offer to them throughout the weekend.

“Silverstone is one of the most iconic circuits on the Formula One calendar, precisely because it is so demanding for the drivers, cars and tyres.” Explained Pirelli’s motorsport director, Paul Hembery. “This is why we have chosen to test a new experimental hard compound here during free practice, which we may use in the future. The new tyre has a slightly wider working range, which should make it easier for the teams to get the tyres into the right operating temperature window. But with the Championship so finely balanced, our priority is to ensure that no one team is handed any particular advantage. We want to keep the performance of the tyres at the highest level for as long as possible, so this is a valuable opportunity for ourselves and all the teams to gather more information about the potential effect of a new compound, and gain some data for the future.”

Pirelli’s test driver Lucas di Grassi tested the new experimental compound earlier in the year around Jerez, and has stated how it is similar in concept to the current P Zero hard compound. The Brazilian raced in Formula 1 with Virgin Racing (now Marussia) in 2010, and has first hand experience around Silverstone along with his Pirelli team-mate Jaime Alguersuari.

“I drove the new Silverstone circuit at the 2010 British Grand Prix and it’s very interesting: high speed and high energy are the main characteristics, which has a big effect on the tyres because of all the aerodynamic grip.” Said Lucas di Grassi, “But traction is also tested a lot in the slower and more technical sections, particularly in terms of combined acceleration, when you are turning and accelerating at the same time. I tested the experimental hard compound tyre in Jerez earlier this year: it’s a similar concept to the current hard but with improved combined grip and better wear. It’s particularly effective in warm weather and when the track conditions are poor – so you end up with a tyre that is quicker and lasts longer.”

With the weather looking increasingly likely to be wet during Friday’s two practice sessions, it is conceivable to say that the new experimental Pirelli tyre compounds may not be used during the two 90 minute sessions. The rain is expected to linger throughout the weekend, which could well provide many spills and thrills as the drivers slip and slide around the Silverstone circuit.

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