In a huge sigh of relief from all the Formula One teams in the paddock, the new Pirelli tyres will be more consistent and durable in comparison to previous years.
With so many new variables for teams and drivers to get their heads around for the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship season, they will all be pleased that the tyres will not be as unpredictable as last season.
During the last couple of seasons the tyres developed by Formula One’s official tyre partner, French manufacturer Pirelli have been a major talking point throughout both seasons.
But with the introduction of new aerodynamic packages, hybrid engines, break by wire, the new Formula One season is likely to provide enough shock and intrigue without throwing in the often pot-luck results of which cars will suit the tyres best on each track.
?The teams were able to learn more about tyres over the four days in Bahrain than they could in Jerez two weeks ago, thanks to increased running time and optimal weather conditions,? Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery told formula1.com.
?Although the teams are still at a comparatively early point on the development curve with their new cars, testing data so far indicates that the 2014 tyres are more consistent and durable than their predecessors. As a result, we are also seeing fewer ?marbles? on the circuit: one of our objectives at the start of this season.?
During the second winter test session in Bahrain, the four Pirelli compounds showed significant steps in performance levels.
The supersoft tyre was around 0.7seconds per lap faster than the soft tyre.
The soft tyre was around 1.2seconds per lap quicker than the medium tyre.
The medium tyre was around 1.3seconds per lap quicker than the hard tyre.
So if Pirelli nominated the soft and hard compound tyres for the opening Grand Prix in Australia for example, then teams would have to work out the best race strategy for two sets of tyres that performance wise would be 2.5seconds per lap apart.
However Hembery believes that those performance times will actually decrease as soon as the third winter test session, which is also taking place in Bahrain and as the season progresses, the gaps will shorten further.
?Teams are likely to improve their performance and understanding of the car-tyre package still further in the test to come, which means that the lap time differences we have been seeing between the compounds are likely to come down, especially when the teams discover more downforce as the season goes on.?
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