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Pirelli confirms compounds for opening four grands prix

ESPNF1 Staff
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Pirelli tyres 'will make for some fascinating strategies as the teams compete with their new cars for the first time' © Sutton Images
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Pirelli has announced it will run with the hard and soft dry tyre compounds for the first four rounds of the season. The decision was taken following pre-season tests in Europe and the Middle East.

"The hard tyre will be the prime tyre, whereas the soft will be the option," a spokesman said. "This decision has been made in accordance with the track characteristics in the Middle and Far East, which offer high grip and a wide variety of speeds and corners, as well as ambient and track temperatures that are likely to be high.

"The hard tyre offers an excellent balance between performance and durability in the tough conditions of the first four flyaway races. However, the soft tyre will give extra speed at the expense of resistance, which will make for some fascinating strategies as the teams compete with their new cars for the first time.

"Pirelli's aim is to have two pit stops at every race, helping to increase the spectacle."

It is believed Pirelli has modified its super-soft and soft tyres ahead of this week's round of testing at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya to address issues with degradation.

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