Williams driver Felipe Massa says Pirelli’s decision to bring the Hard tyre to the Spanish Grand Prix is a “joke,” and believes the compounds will barely be used.
Pirelli has nominated the Soft, Medium and Hard tyres for this weekend’s event at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the three hardest compounds from its range.
However, Massa has criticised Pirelli’s choice to bring the Hard tyres, and added that the Medium compound will only be used due to the nature of Formula 1 regulations.
“I think the Hard tyre here is a joke, nobody will use it, just in FP1, but not after I don’t think,” he said.
“If you see the way the Medium is compared to the others, the Hard will be just for FP1.
“The Medium is not a good tyre and the Hard is similar to the Medium, we are using the Medium as we are obligated, maybe if you [were allowed to] use only the Soft maybe you don’t even try the Medium.”
Force India’s Esteban Ocon echoed Massa’s sentiments, pointing to the capable usage of Ultra Soft tyres during pre-season testing.
“Terrible,” Ocon said of Hard tyres. “No-one’s going to use them to be honest.
“We drove here with Ultra Softs with no problem, so for sure they’re going to be too hard and it’s going to be difficult for everyone.”
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