Magny-Cours: New Pirelli's Developments For All Its Cars In The 2005 Fia-Gt Series

Milan, 27 April 2005 - The numerous and long winter test sessions on different European motor racing circuits have produced positive results for Pirelli Competizioniclients. Pirellitechnicians guarantee the latest PZero racing tyre developments for its teams competing in the top class of the international FIA-GT Championship at Magny-Cours on 1 May, the second round in this extremely successful racing series. Pirelliwill provide a medium-soft compound with a high degree of grip for the French circuit, which has a "polished" surface of smooth, hardly abrasive asphalt. But the mix will stay sufficiently soft if temperatures fall not exactly a rare occurrence in the area in which the circuit has been built. Among the latest developments to be offered by Pirelliat Magny-Cours will be a new front tyre, elaborated in particular for the Maserati MC12s and the surprising Corvette C5R, which was immediately competitive at Monza even though it was short on preparation. Explains Pirelli Competizioni'sCircuit Manager, Pierluigi De Cancellis, "This is a further evolution of the PZerothat we took to Monza in early April. While not too stressful on the tyres, the French event in the 2005 FIA-GT Championship is on a track that generates understeer in a car, which requires a high level of grip in all situations, especially when exiting corners". De Cancellis confirmed that Pirelli Competizioniwill also take to Magny-Cours "completely new tyres for the Ferrari 575 GTC driven by Piccini-Deletraz. This is a specific evolution conceived together with Ferrari's technicians and is born from the basis of developments attained during the winter break. It is true, however, that Pirellialready had a new concept PZeroon hand at Monza for the Saleen S7-Rs. This tyre will also be fitted to the American supercar in France , where the Saleen won its first race last year". In addition, the Milanese engineer confirms that Pirelliwill have a tyre for the French circuit that has produced good results in the past at Monza and that will also be competitive on the smooth asphalt of Magny-Cours, a slower track than the Italian race track.