Pirelli set for abrasive asphalt at Sepang
Pirelli have selected the medium and hard tyres for the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix in order to cope with the highly abrasive asphalt and with the likely much higher temperatures compared to Australia.
The allocation also enables the debut of the new P Zero Orange Hard tyre, featuring increased strength and reduced degration.
Paul Hembery, Pirelli motorsport director: “Malaysia will obviously be only the second race that this completely new range of tyres, designed for the latest-generation Formula One cars, have ever competed in, and it also marks the debut of our 2014 hard tyre. The medium performed well in Melbourne, but Malaysia obviously presents a big contrast to Australia.
"We go from the smooth asphalt in Melbourne to a highly abrasive surface, and from the relatively cool conditions of Albert Park to much higher ambient and track temperatures. This of course will be as much of a challenge for the new cars as it is for the drivers, and we mustn’t forget that we are still at a very early point in the overall learning curve. Wet conditions in qualifying in Australia allowed the teams to sample the 2014 intermediate and full wet tyres, and this knowledge could become very useful in Sepang.”
