Pirelli downplays wear fears for GB

Pirelli's soft compound Scorpion tyre has been nominated for the Cardiff-based event and there had been concerns that the covers wouldn't last - particularly on the final day where the crews will use the same tyres for all four stages.

Rally organisers are not permitted to run a loop of stages more than 80km (49.68 miles) without a facility to change tyres. Sunday's third and final day includes 49.61 miles of competitive action.

Isola said: "When we started the development of this tyre in 2007, we tested the soft tyre in the middle of the summer, in conditions which were completely unsuitable for the tyre - and it lasted. On top of this, the teams have also made a lot of testing themselves with this tyre and there were no problems.

"I'm not too worried about Wales, but don't forget the tyre is the same for all of the drivers and they have to manage the tyre the best they can."

Ford's Mikko Hirvonen admitted tyre wear could be a problem in Wales. He said: "The road surface is quite abrasive in places, so it's something worth thinking about - but then again, I'm pretty sure it's not going to be warm and dry for three days."