Soft-compound P Zero 13-inch tires were used for round six of the inaugural GP3 series, for which Pirelli is the exclusive tire supplier, which highlighted a recent weekend of competition at the Hungaroring track near the Hungarian capital of Budapest.
On Saturday, Swiss driver Nico Muller won the feature race. Series leader Esteban Gutierrez was second and Stefano Coletti was third.
Sunday’s race was characterized by frenetic action and close competition. Alexander Rossi took his second win of the season, while second place for Robert Wickens was enough to prevent Gutierrez from wrapping up to the title with two rounds still left to go. Dean Smith finished third, while ART Grand Prix continues to lead the teams’ standings after Hungary.
“Given the nature of the circuit and the high ambient temperatures, our soft-compound tires faced a tough task,” says Pirelli’s Max Damiani. “Naturally we kept a close eye on wear rates, but the tires proved to be more than up to the task, providing a perfect compromise between performance and durability throughout both races. We experienced no problems all weekend, and once more enjoyed two closely-matched races that underline GP3’s role as a crucial feeder series towards the prestigious GP2 championship."
The next two races of the eight-round GP3 series take place at the Aug. 28-29 Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps.
Pirelli was recently confirmed as the exclusive tire supplier to Formula One next year, along with GP2 and GP3. “In this way, future generations of drivers will benefit from a Pirelli-backed ladder of talent designed to take them all the way to the very top of the sport,” says Damiani.
For more information, visit www.us.pirelli.com.
