After conducting successful tests in Montreal, Formula One tyre suppliers Pirelli will debut their new medium tyre compound at the upcoming 2011 European Grand Prix. The rubber, which was tested in Canada will be the 'prime' tyre, with the soft compound tyre to be used as 'option'.
The PZero White medium tyre is not quite as durable as the hards, but "it is quicker while still representing a significant step in range over the option tyre," according to Pirelli.
"Tyre wear on this (Valencia) circuit is likely to be quite high because of the track layout, the nature of the surface, and also the weather conditions, which should be very warm," said Pirelli's Paul Hembery.
The news of the new tyres came following F1 technical delegate Charlie Whiting informing all teams that they will no longer be allowed to change engine maps between qualifying and the race from this weekend's grand prix at Valencia and an effective ban on off-throttle use of blown diffusers which will be introduced from next month's British Grand Prix.
A controversial Monaco GP and a rain plagued race in Canada this 2011 season have given us unsurpassable proof that tyre wear can very well determine the outcome of a race. Expect a cracker of a GP in Valencia.