Pirelli chief Paul Hembery has played down suggestions that current title leader Sebastian Vettel profited from participating in the company's tyre tests last year.
Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull linked up with sole supplier Pirelli to carry out developmental work, with 2015 cars modified to simulate the downforce levels expected this season.
However, while Mercedes predominantly fielded reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein, with Lewis Hamilton carrying out only a handful of laps in Abu Dhabi, Vettel carried out over 2000km worth of running across the course of the testing programme.
Ferrari, in particular Vettel, have encountered less tyre worries than Mercedes in 2017, but Hembery has dismissed the idea that the two matters are connected.
“Yes, Sebastian did a lot of testing [in 2016],” Hembery told the official Formula 1 website.
“It was very intense and he gave us a lot of feedback. We thank him for that. That is what we wanted: the top drivers giving us good feedback.
“But because he didn’t really know what he was testing – he was blind-testing – it might have helped him psychologically, but I doubt it helped practically.”
Mercedes, in particular Lewis Hamilton, struggled on low-grip surfaces in Russia and Monaco, encountering problems in getting tyres into the correct window, predominantly the Ultrasofts.
Hembery expects the reigning champions to quickly address any problems it is having with the rubber.
“Actually Mercedes’ issue is linked a bit to certain circuits,” said Hembery.
“At Barcelona they were fine – and in Silverstone and Spa they will be as well.
“It’s the lower-grip circuits where they’ve had a few more problems, but I am sure they will resolve any issues as we go through the season."
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