Sep.24 (GMM) Pirelli's 2011 tyres are currently only about one second off the pace of the sport's existing supplier Bridgestone.

The Italian marque, arriving in F1 next year to replace the departing Bridgestone, is currently embarking on a track testing programme with a 2009 Toyota.

Anecdotal reports after the recent Monza outing, with Nick Heidfeld at the wheel, indicated that the white car was about 3 seconds slower than the lap times recorded during the Italian grand prix two weeks ago.

"So far our results are very encouraging," said Pirelli chief executive Francesco Gori, according to motorline.cc.

"We have already done more than 4000 kilometres with very good results.

"If you consider that we are using a car from 2009 and therefore not as developed as the current cars, we are currently only a second off the lap times with the current tyres," he added.

Heidfeld, now returning to racing with Sauber and replaced at Pirelli by Romain Grosjean and Pedro de la Rosa, said in Singapore: "I believe it will be a good tyre that we will see next year.

"So far they have been reliable, no technical problems whatsoever. The grip level is within the range, so it looks positive for now," added the German.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version