Softer 2012 tyres to benefit Ferrari - Hembery

Ferrari will be happy with the move towards even softer tyre compounds for 2012, Pirelli's F1 chief Paul Hembery has admitted.

The famous Italian team has struggled on the harder compounds offered this year by the sport's new tyre supplier.

Paul Hembery, Pirelli Motorspor Director and Mario Isola, Sporting Director Pirelli

Photo by: xpb.cc

Next year the compounds will be generally softer, Hembery said during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"They will all benefit, but yes in particular Ferrari will," he is quoted as saying.

"The principle is that the current medium will be next year's hard, so the compounds are (all) softer," added Hembery.

He said the intention is also to increase the number of pitstops for the beginning of next season, after the spectacle waned in recent races as the teams and drivers adjusted to the fast-wearing tyres.

"At the start of the season we saw an average of 3-4 stops per driver, but by the end it has fallen to about two.

"Next year we are working on an average of three," added Hembery.

He said dominant world champion Sebastian Vettel was "clearly" the best performer with Pirelli's 2011 tyre.

"But also Jenson Button was very good, and then comes the two Sauber drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez," said Hembery.