FIA approves Pirelli changes to tyres for three races

The FIA has approved Pirelli's plans to reduce the tread of its Formula 1 tyres for three races through the 2018 season due to the new asphalt that has been laid at the circuits.

A number of drivers reported issues with their tyres through pre-season testing in Spain after the resurfacing of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with similar changes being made at the Silverstone and Paul Ricard tracks that will host the British Grand Prix and French Grand Prix respectively.

In a bid to reduce surface overheating, Pirelli head of car racing Mario Isola confirmed on Friday in Bahrain that the tread would be reduced by 0.4 mm for the three races after analysing its findings from pre-season testing.

"This was a recommendation that we ourselves brought to the FIA – as we have done in the past at some races – because it is less disruptive than nominating harder compounds, which was the alternative," Isola said.

"Apart from making a set of tyres weigh around one kilogram less, there is no appreciable difference in performance; so in effect this is an ‘invisible’ change.

"It only applies to the three races in Spain, France and Britain: there is no alteration to the tyre specification planned for any other events."

Isola stressed the reduction in tread would not change the dimensions of the tyre, and explained how similar changes were made at races in 2011 and 2012 following track resurfacing.

The modifications will result in a small drop in the weight of the tyres, shaving 1 kg off the car per set (250 g per tyre).