Pirelli asked to limit tyre designation to 'hard, medium and soft' in 2019

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Formula 1 and the FIA have requested that Pirelli simplify next season the designation of the mandatory three tyre compounds it selects for each race.

In a bid to provide simple clarity to F1 fans and spectators, the sport's exclusive tyre supplier would offer a range of dry weather compounds but use the same hard, medium and soft appelation for each race weekend.

"We had a request from FOM and FIA to just call them hard, medium and soft," said Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola.

"With three colours, the same colours and same names for all the races, but obviously different compounds, because you cannot use the same compounds in Silverstone or Monaco.

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"On a second level we will have compound A, B, C, D, E, F or whatever, and we will tell you that for this race, the hard is B, the medium is D, and whatever.

"So for spectators it's probably more understandable, but you also have the possibility to go deeper in detail for technical information that we will continue to provide."

Isola insisted discussions were still ongoing but the Italian engineer isn't anticipating any particular complications in terms of production of logistics.

"It's an on ongoing discussion, but we said we are available to evaluate this change," he said.

"I made a check with production and logistics, obviously we need to understand all the implications.

"We produce a specific batch for each race, to be sure that they all come from the same batch, so honestly to put a purple label or a yellow label or any other colour is not a big issue."

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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.