Pirelli Rejects Claims of Softer Tyre Shift for 2015 F1 Season
Pirelli's Paul Hembery says the company's Formula 1 tyre selection approach remains unchanged, despite reports suggesting a move to softer compounds for the 2015 calendar.
Pirelli has dismissed suggestions it is changing its Formula 1 tyre selection philosophy for the 2015 season, following speculation that the supplier would favour softer compounds to increase on-track action. Paul Hembery, Pirelli's F1 chief, stated the company's approach remains consistent with previous years, aside from a few targeted adjustments.
No major tyre selection changes for 2015
Reports had suggested Pirelli would bring softer tyres to more races, but Hembery clarified that only one or two events might see a softer allocation compared to 2014. He cited Sochi as a possible example, explaining that the company was overly conservative there last year due to the circuit's debut. Monaco's use of soft and supersoft compounds is unchanged from previous seasons and does not indicate a strategic shift.
Fernando Alonso responded to the rumoured change by urging Pirelli to stick to its original plan, warning that altering tyre choices mid-season could influence the championship outcome. Hembery countered that such claims were inaccurate and that the overall philosophy remains intact.
Future plans and compound range expansion
Looking ahead, Pirelli is seeking clarity on Formula 1's 2017 regulations to prepare for the next official tyre contract. The company is testing 18-inch wheel prototypes on GP2 cars and may expand its compound range from the current four (hard, medium, soft, supersoft) to six options. However, Pirelli has rejected a proposal from Force India to allow teams free choice of compounds for each race, arguing it would lead to predictable strategies among top teams and potential image issues if backmarkers suffered excessive tyre wear.
