Pirelli willing to act fast over new wet Formula 1 tyre after tests

The Italian manufacturer concluded two satisfactory days of testing at the Paul Ricard circuit in southern France where the track's sprinkler system was used to simulate wet conditions.

The aim of the test was two-fold: to improve the crossover between the extreme and intermediate tyres given the swift degradation of the former when on-track conditions improve, and to at least maintain the current level of aquaplaning resistance.

Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren carried out the test, covering almost 1500 miles in total.

Pirelli racing manager Mario Isola said: "It's almost impossible now to give you a final evaluation of the result of the test because we need to analyse the data.

"We were crossing different specifications on different cars, so it's not easy to give you a final result now, but it will be more or less in one week.

"The first impression is we have a good compound for extreme wet and also some modifications of the tread pattern are working well.

"This is the first feeling. I don't want to sell this as a final result of the test, but we are confident there is something positive in the different prototypes we tested.

"Of course, if we have a new product from this test then we will introduce it during the season, as soon as possible."

Isola played down Kimi Raikkonen's degree of scepticism over the level of tyre improvement on Monday.

"Kimi tested different prototypes in full wet conditions. He was not unhappy, from what I know," Isola said.

"He didn't find big differences, but that was not unexpected because one of the targets was to have a product that's slightly better in full wet conditions, if possible."

NO ISSUE OVER MERCEDES ABSENCE

Prior to the test much had been made over the fact reigning champion team Mercedes was not involved or, as some had suggested, not even been invited.

Isola made clear there are no problems with Mercedes.

"We said we were happy with the number of cars, from one to three, all together on track," he said.

"With four teams we would have been obliged to split - two and two [on track at any one time].

"You have a lot of water a car sprays up from the circuit. If you have 10 cars, it is almost impossible to run a wet test.

"So when Mercedes knew we had three cars, they said 'OK, if you need us we can come, otherwise we stay at home'. With three cars the test was OK.

"It's more difficult with more cars to synchronise. Conditions are so important, and sometimes if you have variation in the conditions, they are bigger than the prototypes you are testing."