Same tyres for F1 and GP2?

In what could be a surprise move by F1's 2011 tyre supplier, Pirelli is considering using similar if not identical specifications for F1 and its feeder series, GP2. Last Thursdays test saw Nick Heidfeld running in the 2009 Toyota and Giorgio Pantano in a GP2 chassis, but with same tyres experiencing the similar characteristics despite the car differences.

Pirelli's GP2 Technical Director, Didier Perrin, commented, “So far we have done a lot of tests to validate the car itself and over the last two sessions we have started an intensive programme involving Pirelli, GP2 and F1. We still have a lot to do, at least six more test sessions on different tracks, but we have already made some very big steps together.

“At the last test we worked in parallel with the 2009 Toyota F1 car and we were running the same tyres. The first conclusion is that the behaviour of the tyres is very similar between GP2 and F1; this is very good news, as it means that, potentially, we can run the same tyres in both series.

“This is very important for GP2 and for Pirelli because it means that our drivers could be able to run on exactly the same tyres as in F1, which is very useful for their future.”