• Tyres
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Hamilton warns Pirellis will make cars slower

ESPNF1 Staff
March 5, 2011 « HRT still waits on 2011 car | »
Lewis Hamilton getting to grips with Formula One's new tyres © Sutton Images
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Lewis Hamilton has warned the new Pirelli tyres will make the cars slower in 2011.

"Formula One does seem to have slowed down," Hamilton told the Guardian. "The cars are slower on a race distance. Last year we had to make tyres last with heavier fuel load and now it's even slower. I did run the other day and it was painfully slow, it really was. Just not exciting, to be honest."

Pirelli, who took over as Formula One's sole tyre supplier at the start of the season, has been under fire lately because the speed its tyres have been degrading. And Hamilton added his voice to the critics.

"The first run - I didn't think I was pushing very hard - and the tyres were finished after nine laps, down to the canvas. On the next run, I had to go easier. It was almost like doing an out lap and just about made it to 15 or 16 on a soft tyre.

"Over the years you have to change your style and adapt, while keeping the important part, which is the speed and aggression. Now the biggest step is how we are going to have to look after the tyres."

One possible benefit of the tyres could be they make the competition more equal. "In 2007 and 2008, the teams were so quick and pushing each other so fast at the front," he told the paper. "They've now slowed down the cars a little, it's maybe a more even playing field."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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