• Spanish Grand Prix

Pirelli expects strategy to play a big part in Spain

ESPNF1 Staff
May 7, 2012 « Hulkenberg confident more points will come | Boullier unhappy about shifting Young Driver Test to UK »
Pirelli's tyres were criticised by Michael Schumacher after the last grand prix © Sutton Images
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Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery believes next weekend's Spanish Grand Prix will provide a closely-fought strategic battle and possibly a fifth different winner this year.

Tyre strategy has been key to all four races this season as the teams have struggled to consistently get the Pirellis working in their optimum operating window. The result has been exciting and unpredictable racing and, despite the circuit's reputation for dull races, Hembery believes that will continue in Barcelona next weekend.

"We've nominated the soft and hard tyre in order to highlight performance differences that will create a different challenge for the teams, showcasing both the speed and durability of our products," Hembery said. "There is a whole step in between our two nominations for the first time this year and this should allow the teams to come up with a number of different tyre strategies that could make a big difference to the final outcome.

"With many teams having expanded their knowledge of our tyre range and tested new components at Mugello, we're expecting a closely-fought Spanish Grand Prix - and maybe even the fifth different winner in five races…"

Pirelli has also announced that it will complete a private test at Jerez before the Spanish Grand Prix. Pirelli is planning to hold a series of private tests this year in order to refine its tyres on its recently-acquired 2010 Renault R30 test car. Ex-Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari will be in action for the first time in his new role as a Pirelli test driver and will share the driving with ex-Virgin driver and fellow tyre tester Lucas di Grassi.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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