Pirelli says two-stop strategy sowed success in Spanish GP
ERJ staff report (TP)
Barcelona, Spain – Pirelli said the Barcelona Formula One circuit is renowned for being one of the most demanding tracks on tires of the entire year, but eight of the top 10 finishers all completed the 66-lap grand prix with just two stops.
Last year, the race winner stopped four times in Barcelona, underlining the “further improvements and increased durability built” into Pirelli’s Formula One tires this season. This has led to “lower levels of wear, degradation and ‘marbles’ on the track, without compromising performance”.
Tire strategy was instrumental to yesterday’s (11 May) Spanish Grand Prix, with Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton claiming his fourth consecutive win to move into the lead of the drivers’ championship. The Englishman, who went on a medium-medium-hard strategy from pole, beat his team mate Nico Rosberg by just six tenths of a second, who chose a medium-hard-medium strategy. The two strategies ensured a "thrilling" wheel-to-wheel battle as Rosberg was able to take advantage of his newer and faster tires at the end of the race.
The second two-day in-season test of the year now takes place after the Spanish Grand Prix, from Tuesday (13 May). Sauber and Toro Rosso will be testing 2015 tires for Pirelli on the opening day of the test, followed by Force India and McLaren on day two.
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Press release from Pirelli
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