Pirelli mulling softer compound choices for 2018

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Following talks with F1 drivers over the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, Pirelli will be looking to introduce softer compounds for 2018.

A Friday night briefing between the drivers and the FIA in Barcelona concluded that Pirelli had been too conservative in its tyre compound selection for 2017.

As a result, drivers asked the manufacture not to select its hard compound for future races and offered a few suggestions about the supplier's future direction.

"It was a very, very interesting conversation because I was meeting with the drivers to understand what they think about the new products, and what they think about the direction we are taking for the future," Pirelli's Mario Isola told Motorsport.com.

"I have to say it was a very, very positive meeting. We also exchanged a lot of ideas, also beyond just the tyres.

"Plus, most of the drivers were involved, because sometimes there are silent drivers [in these meetings], but all the top drivers were talking with interesting ideas."

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Isola admitted that it was too early to draw up a firm plan for 2018 but conceded that there was room for improvement for next year, and possibly the opportunity to work with softer compound choices.

"In general everybody has the feeling that we are probably one step harder than we need to be, but don't forget the rate of development of the cars will be huge, and we have to wait a little bit before taking decisions on the future.

"We have to freeze the construction by September 1 and freeze the compounds by December 1, so now we are working both on construction and compound.

"But the focus for now is more on the construction, because it is the first part of the product to freeze. Then after that we will start developing new compounds.

"But the final decision will be later in the year when we have some indication coming from other circuits like Spa, Suzuka and Sepang."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.