'Spanish GP delivered what we hoped for', says Pirelli's Hembery

Pirelli's Paul Hembery was a happy man at the end of last Sunday's Spanish GP at Barcelona.

While the race was a thrilling event in all its aspects, the racing and the surprise winner, it was also defined by the outcome of various tyre strategies, with two-stoppers Max Verstappen and Kimmi Raikkonen outracing three-stoppers Sebastian Vettel and DanielRicciardo.

While the first-lap clash between the Mercedes drivers and their subsequent elimination provided the perfect back-drop to a thrilling event, opposing tyre choices among the main contenders also certainly spiced up proceedings.

Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen relied on two pits tops while Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo opted to stop three times for tyres.

The sensational Max, the day's surprise winner, made the most of his medium tyres for his first outing with Red Bull. But Paul Hembery said the respective split strategies were exactly what Pirelli was hoping for.

"This was a complex strategic battle all the way to the very end, with the balance of power shifting between Red Bull and Ferrari as the tactics evolved from lap to lap," said Hembery.

"The result was a fascinating race that remained absolutely unpredictable all the way to the chequered flag, making it one of the stand-out events of the season.

In addition to different tyre choice thrown into the mix, Hembery also underlined the crucial aptitude to manage the rubber associated with each tyre choice.

"During the final 10 laps the drivers had to manage their tyres to be sure of maintaining performance to the finish, adding yet another intriguing dimension to the action.

"This is the sort of race we were hoping for with our current range of compounds and the latest tyre regulations, so the Spanish Grand Prix certainly delivered.

"We’ve seen Formula One history being made with the youngest winner ever in the sport, and we feel very proud to play a part in that."

REPORT: Verstappen sets the pace on second day of Barcelona test

Scene at the Spanish Grand Prix

Spanish Grand Prix - Quotes of the weekend

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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.