These choices
have been made to reflect the characteristics of each circuit and the
all-new 2014 cars, bearing in mind all the data that has been obtained from
the three pre-season tests. The teams were able to complete their assessment
of Pirelli’s new compounds over the last four days in Bahrain, with the
final test finishing today exactly two weeks before the start of the opening
grand prix of the season. Consequently, many teams focussed on qualifying
and race simulations.
The results of the final test showed an increased performance gap between
the hard and the medium compound, and the medium and the soft compound: the
two combinations of tyres that will be used at the first four races. This
will give plenty of scope for the teams to formulate interesting strategies
to boost their race prospects.
The characteristics of the 2014 P Zero tyre range were in line with
expectations in Bahrain, maintaining similar performance to last year but
with less degradation. There was no blistering and very little graining,
underlining the performance of the latest compounds so far in a wide range
of conditions. There was also a reduction in tread wear levels.
Paul Hembery, Pirelli motorsport director:
“The information gained over all three pre-season tests has helped us to
come up with the tyre choices for the start of the season, having run with
the new 2014 tyres in all conditions now: ranging from rain in Jerez to
ambient temperatures exceeding 25 degrees centigrade in Bahrain. The
conclusion we can draw so far is that the 2014 tyres are more consistent and
wear less than their predecessors, without compromising performance. We’re
also meeting another of our objectives with one more step towards the
reduction of ‘marbles’ on the track. The medium and soft compounds are well
matched to the expected race conditions in Australia, Bahrain and China,
providing what we expect to be the right balance between performance and
strategy with two to three pit stops per car. The more abrasive and hotter
conditions of Malaysia have led us to nominate the hard and medium compounds
there, as we did last year.”
Testing Facts:
As expected, the teams completed the biggest distances seen yet during the
final pre-event test in Bahrain. In total, 762 laps were covered during day
one, 868 laps during day two, 803 laps during day three, and 874 laps during
day four. This makes a total of 3307 laps for four days, compared with 2322
at the previous Bahrain test.
Teams had a maximum of 30 sets of tyres per car to test in Bahrain. Pirelli
chose 22 of those sets and the teams were then able to choose in advance the
remaining eight sets, up to their maximum permitted total of 30. In total,
135 sets of tyres are allowed per team for testing purposes throughout 2014.
The performance differences seen in the second Bahrain test between the
compounds are approximately as follows: the supersoft is around 0.7s per lap
faster than the soft, the soft is around 1.3-1.5s per lap quicker than the
medium, and the medium is around 1.3-1.5s per lap quicker than the hard.
These gaps are expected to come down as the teams improve their
understanding of the tyres during the season.
More Testing Facts:
The total testing distance completed so far this year, combining Jerez and
both Bahrain tests is 7,099 laps and 36,974 kilometres. This time last year,
the teams had completed 10,902 laps and 49,942 kilometres of pre-season
testing (Jerez and two Barcelona tests 2013 combined).
Williams driver Felipe Massa set the fastest lap of this Bahrain test, with
a time of 1m33.258s on Saturday with the P Zero Red supersoft. By way of
comparison, the fastest lap in Bahrain at the previous test last week was
1m33.283s, set by Nico Rosberg (Mercedes). The fastest race lap at the
Bahrain Grand Prix last year
was 1m36.961s, set by Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel. Pole position at the
Bahrain Grand Prix last year was 1m32.330s, also set by Rosberg.
The highest number of total laps completed at this year’s Bahrain test by
any one driver was 236 laps from Valtteri Bottas (Williams). Force India
driver Sergio Perez set the second-highest total, 213 laps. |