Pirelli will not debut it’s revised 2013 tyres at the Canadian Grand Prix as planned, but will give the teams an opportunity to test them during Friday practice.
The Italian supplier had hoped to run its tweaked rear-tyres, which feature a kevlar belt instead of a steel one, during the entire race weekend, but failed to garner unanimous support from the teams.
Instead two sets will be available to each team for first practice to give them a chance to adapt, with Pirelli keen to introduce them at the British GP a fortnight later.
The new tyres keep the same compounds, but the belt will switch back to kevlar – used in 2011 and 2012 – because it heats up slower than steel and should reduce the number of delaminations according to Pirelli.
“The aim of introducing the new tyre is to prevent any instances of the tread detaching itself from the structure,” said a spokesperson.
Pirelli are keen to stress that the changes won’t impact the competitive order, but it’s widely believed Mercedes will be the biggest benefactor because they are suffering from higher temperatures than most.
“The performance and wear characteristics of the new tyre will not be significantly different, with the aim of keeping up the spectacle and retaining a strategic element to all the races,” they added.
