Pirelli is equipping this year's
GP2 drivers
with its
P Zero medium
slicks during the first pre-season test, which runs
through April 6 at
Silversto
ne in the United Kingdom.
Pirelli is equipping this year’s GP2 drivers with its P
Zero medium slicks during the first pre-season test, which
runs through April 6 at Silverstone in the United
Kingdom.
The next test will take place in Barcelona from April 18-
20, with Pirelli supplying hard compound slicks.
“We decided to bring our medium and hard compound tires to
Silverstone and Barcelona, respectively, because of the
demanding features of these different circuits – which are
very challenging for the rubber,” explains Mario Isola,
Pirelli’s racing manager.
“First of all, we’re giving drivers our medium slicks at
Silverstone because both resistance and versatility are
needed there due to the unpredictable weather conditions
we may have to face. This makes Silverstone ideal
territory for the medium tire,” he says.
“The hard slicks, by contrast,” notes Isola, “are an
excellent solution for Barcelona, where we foresee hotter
track conditions. The hard compound is a tire designed to
provide the maximum endurance in the toughest conditions
so is best suited to demanding tracks with a fast and
technical succession of corners such as Barcelona.”
The GP2 drivers have already had their first taste of
newly-developed Pirelli tires in medium compound
specification during the 2011 GP2 Asia Series. With only
one month left to go before the main GP2 Series starts,
the forthcoming tests will be crucial for teaching drivers
how to properly manage their new tires, he reports.
The 2011 GP2 season will feature nine rounds supporting
Formula One grand prix events in Europe, starting at the
beginning of May in Istanbul and ending in mid-September
with the Monza race in Italy.
Throughout the year, Pirelli will supply 14,500 tires to
the GP2 Series, tests included. Four types of dry weather
tire (hard, medium, soft and supersoft compounds) and one
type of wet weather tire will be provided, with four sets
of slicks and, if needed, three sets of wets for each car
per event.
For more information, visit www.us.pirelli.com.
