16/03/2013
NEWS STORY
Mat Coch writes:
A rain interrupted final practice saw most teams spend a good portion of the session in the garage, much to the frustration of expectant fans both at the circuit and watching on TV. Some took to Twitter to vent their frustration, lamenting the teams' decision not to run while suggesting Pirelli should be better prepared.
The number of tyres teams have is limited by the regulations designed to cover the most likely scenarios, and deal with the most likely of the unlikely.
"You start the Saturday with four sets of inters and three sets of rain tyres," Pirelli motor sport boss Paul Hembery explained to Pitpass. "It's based on history.
"You've also got to take into account that you're not going to carry around thousands of tyres that never get used," he added. "That's also a waste of time and in reality we've had minimal occasions where we've been struggling with quantities of tyres.
"If you could guarantee rain every race then you'd probably have six sets (of inters) and five (sets of wets) like you do with the slicks."
While wet tyres could easily last multiple race distances, Hembery claims, the intermediate will begin to wear out as the circuit dries. A lack of running in wet weather is typically not a result of a lack of tyres. During practice teams are unwilling to risk their cars so may only turn a handful of laps to give their drivers a feel for the conditions.
"It's not really a lack of tyres; there's plenty for what's needed," Hembery concluded.
Check out our Saturday gallery, here.