Pirelli wants to choose from more compounds

Sep.23 (GMM) Pirelli would like to be able to choose from more than just four different compounds of tyres as it makes its selections for Grands Prix.

Currently, the sport's sole tyre supplier selects two compounds per race from a pool of just four choices -- hard, medium, soft and super-soft.

Lotus F1 Team mechanic marks Pirelli tyres

Photo by: xpb.cc

"The teams eventually learn and adjust their strategies accordingly, which is not in our hands," said the Pirelli motor sport director.

"We would of course like seven or eight different compounds. With four, the teams will always eventually figure out what they need to do.

"At the moment there are 20 races and four different tyres."

So why can't Pirelli simply make more compounds?

"That's just the rules," answered Hembery. "And we all know how long it takes to make a change."

Auto Motor und Sport said the earliest the change could occur is 2014.

One definite change for 2013 will be Pirelli's sidewall colour markings.

"The colours will change," said Hembery. "Our marketing department is not fully satisfied, but I don't want to give too much away."