Teams to test extra hard Pirelli tyre in Malaysia

Pirelli has revealed it will supply an “experimental hard compound” for teams to test during practice in Malaysia on Friday.

In March, we reported that F1’s new official supplier was working on a fifth tyre compound – unofficially referred to as ‘extra hard’ – for possible use in 2011.

The reports said the compound is designed to cope with extreme corners such as Turkey’s famous Turn 8.  Pirelli tested at the Istanbul circuit with Pedro de la Rosa at the weekend.

The tyre supplier confirmed in a statement on Monday: “The new tyre is an experimental hard compound that could be used in the future”.

“With testing not allowed during the season, this gives us a valuable opportunity to gather more data and feedback, while it also gives the teams an interesting taste of what could be coming in the future,” said the Italian marque’s motor sport director Paul Hembery.

© RIF | GMM