- Tyre news
Pirelli 'slightly ahead' of schedule with programme
Pirelli concluded its second Formula One tyre development programme with a productive two-day test session at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.
Having tested the tyre manufacturer's 2011 prototypes for the first time at Mugello, Nick Heidfeld was again behind the wheel of the Toyota TF109.
After the test, Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery confessed himself happy with the progress made and went as far as saying that they were ahead of schedule with the programme.
"We're very happy with the progress we've made so far, which actually puts us slightly ahead of where we expected to be at this point in time," said Hembery. "We worked through an initial development programme that has given us a useful insight into the performance of our prototype tyres under a wide range of conditions, corners and speeds.
"We've been hugely encouraged by what we've seen up to now, and that's been helped by both Nick's clear and precise feedback, as well as all the different possibilities afforded to us by the Paul Ricard circuit."
The next Pirelli test is set to take place in Spain in two weeks time.

