Pirelli tweaks only 'hard' compound tyre

Apr.25 (GMM) Pirelli has announced it has made a minor tweak to its formula one tyre compounds for the forthcoming Spanish grand prix and beyond.

Despite loud criticism from some quarters of the paddock, notably the Red Bull camp, it was expected that F1's official supplier would merely tweak the compounds of its 'soft' and 'hard' compounds for Barcelona.

But Pirelli announced on Thursday that, in fact, only the hard tyre will change.

"This latest version of the hard compound is much closer to the 2012 tyre, with the aim of giving the teams more opportunity to run a wider range of strategies in combination with the other compounds, which remain unchanged," said Paul Hembery.

Pirelli did not mention reported plans to supply an extra set of more durable tyres to teams on Friday mornings, instead reiterating the current rules stipulating six sets of prime and five sets of option tyres per driver.

Reuters news agency quoted a spokesman as saying the issue is awaiting the FIA's approval.