Pirelli tire testing results

Looks like we are getting some substantially slower lap times with these tires, BUT Pirelli already prefaced this possibility stating that the Bridgestone rubbered-in track was not about to help the situation. I'm interesting in how testing will be at a fresh track laid down with Pirellie rubber.

Rosberg pretty much hates the new tires. He made no bones about saying they just aren't helping. Again, more will be known at a different track. We'll see.


times for today:

1. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m40.170s 94
2. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1m40.500s 77
3. Gary Paffett McLaren 1m40.874s 94
4. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 1m40.950s 83
5. Robert Kubica Renault 1m41.032s 39
6. Rubens Barrichello Williams 1m41.425s 91
7. Paul di Resta Force India 1m41.615s 20
8. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m41.778s 81
9. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1m42.019s 71
10. Adrian Sutil Force India 1m42.859s 20
11. Timo Glock Virgin 1m44.124s 78
12. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus 1m44.686s 88
13. Pastor Maldonado Hispania 1m45.728s 83

 

Indeed. It's the same for everyone, and the big X-factor is Nico has no idea what next year's car is going to be like. The front end could be completely different. We'll see what Brawn has up his sleeve with those young engineers he has cracking away at things.

Was anyone surprised Ferrari was quickest on Pirelli's lol? It is practically Italian law

 

Here's what we know so far. Vettel says the front tires are more stout while the rears are less stout causing the Red bull to be a bit off in the corners (Red Bull has more rear weight than any other car). Massa/Ferrari seem to be doing ok with them. Nico does not like them and basically has the opposite of what Vettel has to say about them (Mercedes has more front weight than any other car). So we have the two extremes having polar opposite results which is not surprising considering their chassis are also polar opposites.

 

Alonso is also good with the tires calling it a smooth transition. Schu is saying he likes the tires better than Bridgestone but he intent on stating this is all depending on how the 2011 car handles the new tires. The times below certainly show a substantial improvement for Schu though.


1. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1:40.529, 105 laps
2. Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:40.685, 74
3. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:40.825, 66
4. Rubens Barrichello, Williams, 1:41.294, 101
5. Robert Kubica, Renault, 1:41.614, 90
6. Gary Paffett, McLaren, 1:41.622, 46
7. Oliver Turvey, McLaren, 1:41.740, 30
8. Paul di Resta, Force India, 1:41.869, 35
9. Kamui Kobayashi, BMW Sauber, 1:42.110, 43
10. Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso, 1:42.145, 98
11. Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India, 1:42.416, 46
12. Sergio Perez, BMW Sauber, 1:42.777, 46
13. Jarno Trulli, Lotus, 1:44.521, 83
14. Pastor Maldonado, HRT, 1:44.768, 65
15. Timo Glock, Virgin, 1:44.783, 82

 

It appears Schu's last scorcher lap he put in about 5 minutes before the session ended was disqualified as he cut a small chicane. His previously quickest lap was replaced on the board dropping him to 7th. Regardless, the chicane cut was good for maybe .1-.2 which still places him remarkably quicker than Rosberg and right there with Vettel. We'll see how the new MB chassis works with these tires. I am thinking it's going to be one awesome season for MB and Schu.

 

Vettel really said what Michael wanted to hear I am sure. He specifically stated the front tires are more stout while the rears are a little squirmy causing the Red Bull to dance around a bit.

Oh, and for those dancing around Schu partially cutting that chicane. All the drivers were partially cutting that chicane during testing (non-times laps) and there was rubber laid down there which is why Schu used that line. This is essentially the chicane all the drivers want changed. So yes, he used the chicane, but no it wasn't the official current chicane.

 

Quite a few of the reports show the times where Schu is 2nd, but in the narrative below they state where he cut a chicane. I believe the write ups on autosport and crash.net have this