Formula One: Tyres affected by the weather, says Pirelli

Pirelli are positive that the extreme tyre degradation witnessed at Barcelona will not be a recurring problem when the show heads to Australia, according to PlanetF1. Many complaints had been received from drivers this week about the severe damage and graining of the Pirelli tyres at the Circuit de Catalunya. The problem seemed to have quite a reach as McLaren driver Sergio Perez reckoned that the Australian Grand Prix could see as many as ‘seven to 10’ pitstops. However, Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery says that would not be an issue as the degradation was largely due to the cold temperatures the team experienced in Spain. “The teams experienced quite high degradation in Barcelona, and that was really down to the weather conditions,” said Hembery. “The conditions we had in Barcelona are far from typical of the rest of the season.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2013.