Vettel already had a rear tire deflate, so we're off to a mediocre start.

Agree with most of this. Personally, if we're stuck with a control tyre then the least they could do for us is supply a range of compounds going from very grippy but not very durable, to very durable but little grip, with a few in between, and let the teams run what they want when they want at every race, that would be acceptable.

that is the way I see it

And with the first tests, Nico's saying that they are much slower then bridgestones, are these the final set of tires that they would be using in races, or would they keep improving till first practice in Bahrain?

to me that is a fairly weird statement.

Since when is doing a good job on producing tyres a bad thing.
How can tyres be too good?????

It is only in these modern F1 times that we are now looking at a tyre manufacturer who produced an outstanding product as a bad thing. Amazing.
I hate these tyre situations and the stupid 2 compound rule. To me the tyres should play no factor in race strategy. Along with the stupid fuel regulations.

This is just an artificial and annoying way to spice up the show. The added element does not make for better racing only for more boring and predictable outcomes. Only twice this year did we see any excitement because of tyre degradation and that was Canada and Valencia, and that had more to do with the team's poor strategy than the tyre itself. More often than not, we see drivers having to abandon attacks because of the tyres

You can have either this mandatory 2 tyre rule or the no fueling rule. but not both IMO

How about a three tyre rule. Now that would really be interesting. http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...ies/tongue.gif

Due to some mystery "debris" apparently.

Most probably a left over marble from a Bridgestone tire punctured the Pirelli! http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...es/biggrin.gif

What a bunch of stupid drivel I have been reading.
You people are supposed to be enthusiasts with some understanding of how racing works not a bunch of once a year fans.
This is first real test of the new Pirelli F1 tires with an assortment of drivers and not one car designed to support the tires.
It is testing. It is for Pirelli and the car manufactures to sort things out.
The tires produced for the races will undoubtably be different.
So there was one failure. More than one Bridgestone failed this year for one reason or another.
I do not give a sweet &^*) if they are a second or 10 seconds slower than the Bridgestones. Who cares. It is the same for all and even might make passing easier, although I doubt it.
One flippin day of testing an a whole lot of useless gum flapping!

Well I guess I am in a lot of doghouses now.

I guess you are in the doghouse. http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...es/biggrin.gif
Racing has ended for the year, and there is really not that much to get excited about.
So we make up some fun to tide us over the next 4 months. If we don't, we'll all die of boredom. http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...lies/frown.gif

Ditto.

Isn't it nice having a yellow text on the edge of an F1 tyre after all these years?? http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...ies/tongue.gif

No

Not since Goodyear. Ah those were the days. http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...ies/tongue.gif

Well I'll have to join you in the doghouse as I think you are spot on. http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...lies/smile.gif

Lets not judge to much until at least pre season testing in spring. The tyres will surely be improved before then, as car and tyre combo develops.

I may not have as much knowledge as some on here, but it seems a bit unfair to judge so early. http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...lies/frown.gif

http://www.motorsportforums.com/images/styles/World/icons/icon14.gif http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...lies/smile.gif

Today's session :

1. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 1'40"529
2. Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) 1'40"685
3. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 1'40"825
4. Rubens Barrichello (Williams) 1'41"294
5. Robert Kubica (Renault) 1'41"614
6. Gary Paffett (McLaren) 1'41"622
7. Oliver Turvey (McLaren) 1'41"740
8. Paul Di Resta (Force India) 1'41"869
9. Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber) 1'42"110
10. Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso) 1'42"145
11. Tonio Liuzzi (Force India) 1'42"416
12. Sergio Perez (Sauber) 1'42"777
13. Jarno Trulli (Lotus) 1'44"521
14. Pastor Maldonado (Hispania) 1'44"768
15. Timo Glock (Virgin) 1'44"783

Can it be? Surely not! Have Pirelli provided the silver bullet that the shoe needed? I know its early to judge, but....

Ok. Forget it. Situation normal. That P2 time has been removed from official timings because he cut a chicane.

I wonder how significant it is that Felipe Massa did so well in the first day of tire testing. He's the only driver to have lapped Abu Dhabi faster in testing than during the race. Maybe his whining about the Bridgestone tires this year wasn't entirely bullcrap after all??

1. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1’40.170s
2. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1’40.500s
3. Gary Paffett McLaren 1’40.874s
4. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 1’40.950s
5. Robert Kubica Renault 1’41.032s