Pirelli says its tyre choices will be more aggressive in 2012

Formula 1 teams tested an experimental soft tyre in practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - with it set to become the medium compound for next year.

And with plans for a new hard compound, which will be quicker than the current medium, to be tried out by teams at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Pirelli is eyeing a shuffle of its compounds to ensure the racing stays exciting.

Its plan is to reduce the performance gap between different compounds - which should deliver more strategic options for teams.

Pirelli director of motorsport Paul Hembery said: "I think next season you will not get the whole season run on the soft. We will close down the gap between the compounds and you will see races where hard and medium is used. The data is showing a big improvement in performance.

"We will have to reset all the compounds for next season. We want to close down the gaps of performance between the compounds, from 1.2 seconds to about 0.8 seconds."

As well as the change in compound choices for next year, Hembery has also suggested that moves are being made to allow teams to use more tyres on a Friday - which should ensure increased running.

"There is a look to enable teams to use as many tyres as they want on Friday, which is sensible - especially for those teams that go out in Q1 and never use all their tyres," he said.

"It is a discussion we have had, and let's see if it gets voted through. It is just a minor change, and it seems quite sensible from everyone's point of view.

"We just want teams to have the opportunity to use the tyres they have got. There is no extra cost to anybody, and if we are not creating a sporting disadvantage then it is an ideal situation for everyone."