Performance gap between tyres in-line with Pirelli expectations

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After the first week of pre-season testing, Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli views the performance gap between its five different compounds as being in line with the company's expectations.

Teams will have three dry weather compounds at their disposal on race weekends this year, but Pirelli has made its full range available during pre-season testing for everyone to sample.

While the Italian tyre manufacturer will fine tune its assessment at the end of next week, Pirelli is seeing an approximate 0.6s gap between its softest tyres.

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"It’s still early days, but so far the tyres seem to be performing largely as we expected, with a performance gap of around 0.6 to 0.7 seconds between each compound," said Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola.

"In more detail, it’s something around 0.6 seconds between C2 and C3 so far, and roughly the same gap between C3 and C4, which were the most used tyres in this session.

"Due to the cool conditions this week, there was a bit of graining as expected, which should disappear when temperatures become warmer during the actual season."

Isola underlined the impact of this year's regulation change when it comes to establishing a year-over-year performance differentiation.

"As far as testing goes, there are many variables that need to be taken into account when it comes to making comparisons with previous years here.

"There are new 2019 regulations with different aerodynamics and heavier cars, and we’ve also noted that the track surface in Barcelona has matured since last year.

"Having said that, we’ve seen a very impressive level of reliability and performance from the cars so far, helped by generally favourable weather.

"As usual, the emphasis during the first test tends to be on reliability and validation: next week we should see the teams focus more on performance and explore the full capabilities of the 2019 P Zero Formula 1 range."

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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.