PASCAL WEHRLEIN CONCLUDES THE LATEST PIRELLI TYRE TEST WITH MERCEDES IN PREPARATION FOR 2017 AT BARCELONA

2017 Tyres Test

PASCAL WEHRLEIN CONCLUDES THE LATEST PIRELLI TYRE TEST
WITH MERCEDES IN PREPARATION FOR 2017 AT BARCELONA

COOL TEMPERATURES, FOG, AND RAIN AFFECT THE TEST PROGRAMME:
ONLY 91 LAPS COMPLETED IN TOTAL OVER TWO DAYS,
WITH THE FINAL DAY INTERRUPTED

TESTING WILL NOW CONTINUE IN THE MORE REPRESENTATIVE CONDITIONS
OF ABU DHABI

Milan, October 13, 2016 – Following overnight rain, the final day of the Pirelli 2017 tyre test with Mercedes at Barcelona got underway with a damp surface, track temperatures of just 15 degrees centigrade, and fog. The rain returned in the afternoon, ending the session prematurely.

Despite this, it was possible to complete some laps with Pascal Wehrlein at the wheel in the morning. The young German, who has been the most prolific tester of Pirelli tyres this year, completed 31 laps at the Circuit de Catalunya today, using the Cinturato Intermediate compounds in the new wider 2017 sizes.

Added to the 60 laps driven by world championship leader Nico Rosberg yesterday, this makes a total of 91 laps completed over two days, using a 2015 Mercedes that has been modified to simulate 2017 levels of downforce.

Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery commented: "Obviously the weather hindered progress to some extent both today and yesterday, as is not entirely unexpected at this time of year in Europe. The same can apply to the early part of next year, which is why we are in favour of some guaranteed warm weather testing in 2017, before the season gets underway."

The next Pirelli test of the season will take place in Abu Dhabi with Red Bull from October 14-16.