It is now clear that next year’s formula one tyres will be identical to the ones used in the feeder series GP2.
We reported last month that, as Nick Heidfeld began testing Pirelli’s F1 prototypes at Mugello, also running the tyres for the Italian marque was a GP2 car driven by Briton Ben Hanley.
Pirelli’s track programme continued last week at Paul Ricard, where this time alongside Heidfeld’s 2009 Toyota was Giorgio Pantano in the GP2 Dallara.
"We were using the same tyres as Heidfeld with the 2009 Toyota," confirmed GP2 technical director Didier Perrin, according to Germany’s Auto Bild.
"This is good news because it means you can use the same tyres in both series, which is important for Pirelli and GP2.
"For the GP2 drivers, it means them racing on the same tyres as in formula one, which would be very useful for their futures," Frenchman Perrin added.