Pirelli take F1's first night test to Abu Dhabi - The tyre supplier gather information about the wet conditions
Published by Christine
Welcome to F1Minute, it’s the 17th January 2011.
Pirelli broke records today by becoming the first to conduct an F1 test, at night, in wet conditions. Pedro de la Rosa spent about six hours on track at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, testing out the new F1 tyre supplier’s rubber on damp track.
Ever since night racing was introduced to F1, there have been concerns about safety implications if it began to pour down, and although Pirelli say this is not the reason they are testing in Abu Dhabi, it is certainly bringing some additional information.
Motorsport director Paul Hembery said: “The reason we’re here is because it’s warmer... and we’re testing at night time because we don’t want the sun to evaporate the water on track... The compounds are extremely sensitive to temperatures in wet conditions, so this provides different information for us on competitive use.”
Meanwhile, de la Rosa said: “We did a sample run yesterday with the lights at about 50% and the visibility was actually better than when it rains in the daytime.” The test will continue tomorrow.
