Pirelli invites the teams to its tests
Pirelli has proposed to the teams to send an observer during the tests that the manufacturer will conduct in Jerez in May to ensure that the Lotus F1 team (formerly Renault) does not gain an advantage from having one of its former single-seaters used to conduct these tests.
After using the Toyota TF109 to develop its tires, Pirelli wanted to use a more recent single-seater to conduct new tests in preparation for the 2013 season’s tires. Discussions were held with the teams, but no satisfactory solution was proposed according to the Italian company.
Pirelli has therefore finally decided to manage the situation on its own by purchasing a 2010 Renault R30 for testing. However, to prove that Team Lotus will not be favored, Paul Hembery, the head of competition at Pirelli, stated that the official F1 tire manufacturer has decided to invite teams to a test session scheduled at the Jerez circuit in May.
«We invited all the teams to send an observer and see what we do. Just so they can see that we do things in a fair manner for everyone,» Paul Hembery told Autosport.
Pirelli has still not named the driver or drivers who will conduct the tests aboard the R30. Jaime Alguersuari has been mentioned as a possible contender, as has Adrian Sutil, but Hembery stated that for the moment nothing has been decided.
« There are a lot of people on this list (according to rumors), it’s incredible. There are even strange names – people who stopped (F1) 20 years ago! But we’ve never had a problem with the work done, so it’s not like we’re making a change just for the sake of change. Maybe we won’t change anything, » added Hembery.
Hembery implies with these statements that Lucas di Grassi, replaced by Grosjean and Heidfeld, could resume his role as a test driver at Pirelli. According to the Brazilian publication Globo, di Grassi is reportedly in advanced negotiations with Pirelli and an announcement could be made very soon.
