MARCH 25, 2011

Drivers pleasantly surprised by Pirelli wear

Both world champion Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull racing team mate Mark Webber found that tyre wear was not as severe as expected in Melbourne on the opening day of the new season.

Pirelli tyres, Australian GP 2011
© The Cahier Archive

Both world champion Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull racing team mate Mark Webber found that tyre wear was not as severe as expected in Melbourne on the opening day of the new season.

"It's good to come here and race on a track after doing most of the winter testing at Barcelona," Vettel said. "I wouldn't same I'm really surprised but in a way surprised because the tyre wear was different. I think we expected worse here in terms of how long they lasted, so I think it's positive.

"You can't do a one-stop race, we know that, we will have to come in at least a couple of times and we will have to see with the different tracks and layouts how the track rubbers in or not in the race."

Nick Heidfeld, who did much of Pirelli's test work before signing to replace the injured Robert Kubica at Renault, added: "During winter testing it looked like we were going to be seeing three stops and possibly even four, but today's tyre degradation was quite a lot better. The other interesting thing was that it looked as if the soft tyre would only last one lap but today I set my best time on the second lap, which will make qualifying easier."

Drivers pleasantly surprised by Pirelli wear

Both world champion Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull racing team mate Mark Webber found that tyre wear was not as severe as expected in Melbourne on the opening day of the new season.

"It's good to come here and race on a track after doing most of the winter testing at Barcelona," Vettel said. "I wouldn't same I'm really surprised but in a way surprised because the tyre wear was different. I think we expected worse here in terms of how long they lasted, so I think it's positive.

"You can't do a one-stop race, we know that, we will have to come in at least a couple of times and we will have to see with the different tracks and layouts how the track rubbers in or not in the race."

Nick Heidfeld, who did much of Pirelli's test work before signing to replace the injured Robert Kubica at Renault, added: "During winter testing it looked like we were going to be seeing three stops and possibly even four, but today's tyre degradation was quite a lot better. The other interesting thing was that it looked as if the soft tyre would only last one lap but today I set my best time on the second lap, which will make qualifying easier."