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Drivers to get 13 inch blind Pirelli test at Portimao

Drivers to get 13 inch blind Pirelli test at Portimao

19-10-2020 15:28 Last update: 17:26
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GPblog.com

This weekend the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao hosts a Grand Prix for the first time and that means that the teams have little or no information about the circuit. Tyre supplier Pirelli does have some experience with the circuit and expects a demanding race for the tires.

Conservative tire choice

Although no one knows exactly what can be expected for the tires this weekend, Pirelli does have some experience in the GT class. This gives the tire supplier a good idea of ​​what can be expected. "It's an absolutely spectacular venue and we think the drivers will love racing there. Portimao is quite demanding on tires and this could be accentuated by warm weather, All which is why we have Brought the three hardest compounds," Mario Isola of Pirelli said.

The standard tire allocation has also changed for this weekend. Normally the drivers will be allocated eight soft sets, three medium and two hard compounds each, but in Portugal the drivers will get an extra set of hard and one less set of soft tyres. This will also be the case next month in Turkey.

Blind test

Next year the Formula 1 cars will drive with thicker 13-inch tires. During the second free practice in Portimao the drivers will drive the first half hour with these new tires. "This will be a 'blind' test, so the drivers won't know exactly what they are sampling," says Isola.