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WHY WE’VE CHOSEN THE TYRES
* The up and down rollercoaster of Portugal’s Portimao circuit in the
Algarve is a brand new track to Formula 1. For Formula 1’s first grand prix
in Portugal since 1996, the three hardest tyres in the range have been
chosen: C1 as the P Zero White hard, C2 as the P Zero Yellow medium, and C3
as the P Zero Red soft.
* This selection has been made in order to cope with the heavy demands of
the undulating circuit. Although it’s a modern track, it has an old school
feel.
* Nobody knows exactly what to expect in Portimao for Formula 1, but Pirelli
has some previous experience of the track in GT racing. Nonetheless, a
conservative choice has been made by nominating the hardest tyres in the
range – in order to cover every eventuality.
* Although the race takes place in October, warm temperatures in excess of
25 degrees centigrade are still possible in the south of Portugal.
* For the first time this year, there’s a move away from the standard
allocation of eight softs, three mediums and two hards. In Portugal (and
Turkey next month), the drivers will all be given seven sets of soft, three
sets of medium, and three sets of hard. This is to cater for the expected
severity of these two tracks.
* During the first half-hour of FP2 in Portimao, all the teams will test
unmarked 13-inch prototype slick tyres for next year, according to a run
plan to be defined by Pirelli. This will validate the development of tyres
for 2021: the final season of 13-inch in F1. |
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TRACK CHARACTERISTICS
* The undulating track contains 15 corners and a long straight, with the
final very long right-hand corner (Galp) putting a lot of energy in
particular through the tyres.
* There’s quite a wide mix of corners: one of the reasons why Portimao was
selected as an F1 testing venue heading into the 2009 season. The tyres are
subjected to both lateral and especially longitudinal energy demands due to
heavy braking, which will provide a considerable challenge. As usual with
any new circuit, the data gathered in free practice will be vital in terms
of establishing this information and formulating the right strategy.
* The circuit is quite wide at up to 14 metres, which should help
overtaking.
* The track was completely resurfaced a few weeks ago so the new asphalt is
an unknown: which could have different characteristics to the previous
surface. |
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MARIO ISOLA - HEAD OF CAR
RACING
"For the first time, we head into a double-header featuring two circuits
that are new to Formula 1 in its hybrid era: starting with Portimao, which
makes its grand prix debut. Although Formula 1 has never raced there before,
we have some experience of this track through GT and world superbikes, which
gives us a good idea of what to expect. It’s an absolutely spectacular venue
and we think the drivers will love racing there. Portimao is quite demanding
on tyres and this could be accentuated by warm weather, which is why we have
brought the three hardest compounds. We’ve also adjusted the standard tyre
allocation this weekend, with the drivers getting an extra set of hard and
one less set of soft. In FP2, the drivers will try out next year’s 13-inch
tyres for the first time during the opening half-hour of the session. As
usual this will be a ‘blind’ test, so the drivers won’t know exactly what
they are sampling."
OTHER PIRELLI NEWS
* The biggest event of Pirelli’s motorsport calendar takes place during the
same weekend as the Portuguese Grand Prix: the Spa 24 Hours. Equipping the
entire field and its support events, Pirelli brings up to 13,000 tyres to
the Belgian endurance classic.
* In the same year that there are three F1 grands prix in Italy, a second
World Rally Championship event has been announced on Italian territory. The
Monza Rally Show will now close this year’s WRC from 4-6 December with
around 220 kilometres of special stages in and around the Monza circuit,
only half an hour from Pirelli’s headquarters in Milan. |
