Pirelli has altered the design of the front tyres to be used in Formula One this coming season in response to feedback from teams.
Tyre supplier responds to feedback following November test
Pirelli has altered the design of the front tyres to be used in Formula One this coming season in response to feedback from teams.
The decision to "beef up" the front tyres comes after the teams' first test on the Italian supplier's rubber in Abu Dhabi last November.
Although most drivers declared themselves happy with the new tyres, Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery revealed that there were a few requests for changes.
"We were asked to provide a slightly stronger front tyre, which is what we've done," he told
Autosport.
"In the process we maybe threw the rear out of balance, which is something that was noted during the test, but we've also improved that during the remaining tests that we've done.
"We were asked to try to beef up the front tyre, to give it more a precise input when the drivers turn into the corner, to give more feel.
"We believe we've done that, and we've now finished the work on the rear so we'll see how we get on with a car designed around our tyres."
The news might serve as a boost for the prospects of Michael Schumacher for one - the seven-times world champion blaming his poor comeback performances last season on an unresponsive front Bridgestone tyre.
Tests
Hembrey also confirmed that Pirelli would hold a number of tests throughout the 2011 season.
"At the moment we know we're going to be in Istanbul in April, then Barcelona in May. We'll definitely be back in the Middle East again in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi at the end of the season," he added.
"We couldn't get Silverstone, we're trying to go to Monza and probably Spa as well. So we are trying to carry on a parallel development programme. That's obviously looking more for 2012.
"We've got some ideas that, given more time we would have taken forward, but those now are rested and being put towards that programme."
Pirelli take over from Bridgestone as F1's sole supplier for the 2011 season.
