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Pirelli tweaks GP2 tyre rules

ESPN Staff
May 22, 2012 « Russian authorities look to calm GP fears | Glock hopes for Monaco opportunities »
Teams previously had to keep back one new set of hard tyres for the sprint race © Sutton Images
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Pirelli has changed its tyre rules for the GP2 series, allowing teams more freedom with their tyre usage.

Previously teams had three sets of the harder compound tyre and one set of the softer compound available to each driver for the race weekend, with one new set of the harder tyres having to be saved for the sprint race on Sunday when pit stops are not permitted. The new ruling will allow teams to choose when they want to use each compound, with Pirelli saying it "will encourage more race strategies".

There is also a specific change to the regulations for the Monaco. For this weekend only teams will receive two sets of the softer (supersoft) compound and two sets of the harder (soft) compound, allowing them more track time on the quicker rubber. Pirelli hopes that this will help enable drivers to make up more positions during the race through different strategies due to the difficulty overtaking at Monaco.

Pirelli's racing manager Mario Isola said: "The new tyre rules for GP2 are an exciting development that will introduce a bigger element of tyre strategy and management to the race weekend, making the GP2 Series even better preparation for the very pinnacle of racing. With two sets of the softer compound available to them at any point in Monaco, the GP2 drivers will need to think really carefully about when to use them, but they will end up with more experience of running on a faster compound, which needs to be wisely managed."

There is also a different qualifying format for GP2 in Monaco, with the session split in to two parts. The odd numbered cars will run first, before the even numbered cars take to the track second in order to prevent a repeat of last year's traffic problems.

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