Delhi, October 27th, 2011

The track

A new track means that the surface will be at first dirty and slippery, making it hard for the tyres to generate grip – especially during practice at the beginning of the weekend. The track evolution should be pronounced, meaning that the times will improve as the weekend goes on.

The first sector of the track includes a slight left-hand corner before braking for a right-hand turn. This destabilises the car under braking, making the front-right wheel go lighter than it would normally when braking in a straight line. This inside tyre tends to lock up close to the apex causing understeer; it also means that the outside tyre has to do all the work of steering the car and supporting the front.

On the main straight – one of the longest on the Formula One calendar – the DRS flap is open. The dirt on the track leads to wheelspin under acceleration. The surface temperature of the tyre climbs to over 100 degrees centigrade, placing a heavy demand on the tread.

Turn 10 is certainly the most demanding corner of the track. The wide radius and camber allow high speeds to be reached that take the tyres to the limit of adhesion and put plenty of energy through the loaded tyre.

Preparing for a new circuit

While every circuit is new for Pirelli this year, a track that has never been raced on before is particularly challenging, both because of the nature of a new surface and because of the lack of previous data.

At the start of the season, Pirelli had a certain amount of data relating to all the circuits on the Formula One calendar this year, both from the teams and organisers, and also from previous experience of testing or racing in other series.

The data supplied relates to the forces at work on the tyres; wear rates in the past, driver feedback and statistical information relating to acceleration, braking, weather conditions and previous race strategy – as well as many other vital parameters.

With a brand new circuit, there is no prior data at all, so the task of preparing for the race and selecting the nominations becomes much harder. This is why Pirelli has nominated the hard and the soft tyres for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, so that every possibility is catered for.

In addition to this, two of Pirelli’s engineers inspected the Buddh circuit en route to the Singapore Grand Prix. They were among the first people to drive the complete circuit, but their work mostly consisted of looking at the track surface in detail.

They brought with them sophisticated laser measuring equipment, in order to assess the abrasiveness of the circuit by examining closely the spacing and shape of the stones that make up the aggregate. Several readings were taken from the machine, in order to ensure an accurate representation. Using these readings a virtual representation of the track from the tyre’s point of view can be created on computer.

Together with some asphalt samples from the new track, this allows Pirelli to calculate the likely wear rate and the effect of the asphalt on the tyres at different points on the circuit. Nonetheless, these are theoretical calculations that cannot replace real data, as the way that rubber is laid down on the track with 24 cars running over the course of a weekend is impossible to replicate.

On arrival at all the circuits – but particularly in India – Pirelli’s engineers walk the track, to check that what they observe corresponds to the data they have received. They are also looking for any potential problem areas, such as sharp kerbs, modifications to the circuit from previous years, or street furniture such as manholes on a road circuit.

Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery concludes: “There’s no doubt that preparing for a circuit that is completely new is more difficult than going to one of the established venues. However, the technology and know-how that we have at our disposal means that we can forecast some very accurate predictions without actually having raced at a circuit. Nonetheless, at a track where nobody has any previous information, we have to go with a conservative choice in order to cater for any possibility.”

The 2011 Challenge saw the largest field ever, with 39 teams from 21 different countries putting their vehicles to the test on the 3,000km journey from Darwin to Adelaide.

Eight of the teams were equipped with Michelin tyres specially designed for the race, with the lowest rolling resistance tyre ever made (1.5kg/t).  This rolling resistance is five times less than an Energy Saver tyre that can be fitted to road cars.

With the average the rolling resistance of a car’s tyres accounting for roughly 20 per cent of all energy used, tyres can account for up to one in every five tanks of fuel.

Michelin has a long history of engineering fuel and emissions saving technology into its tyres with MICHELIN GREEN X marked tyres designed to save CO2 emissions and reduce fuel costs.

In 1992, Michelin launched its first generation green tyre, significantly lowering rolling resistance of a conventional tyre, and earlier this year they introduced their newest green tyre – MICHELIN ENERGY XM2.

Today, Michelin displays a ‘GREEN X’ label on the sidewalls of all its energy efficient tyres.

For further information on the Veolia World Solar Challenge, go to http://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/

The menu of the opening day featured two attempts at a loop of three loose-surface stages which, for the first and only time this season, forced the teams to start a predominantly asphalt event with a gravel set-up and hard-compound MICHELIN Latitude Cross H gravel tyres on 15-inch diameter wheels.

The demanding conditions punished many of those who dared to stray off the main line with damaged wheels after impact with rocks or stones, but the performance potential of MICHELIN’s gravel tyre produced times that were significantly lower than those recorded over the same tests last year. The MICHELIN LATITUDE Cross H delivered an average gain of 0.7 seconds per kilometre, despite the fact that this season’s generation of cars are less powerful than those of 2010. It was also interesting to note that Friday’s stages incorporated several asphalt portions on which MICHELIN’s gravel was able to showcase its versatility.

The switch to an all-asphalt format for the action on Saturday and Sunday forced the teams to modify the suspension and ground clearance of their respective cars and, here again, MICHELIN provided its runners with a choice of competitive and durable products.

In Saturday’s mild weather conditions (dry roads, and temperatures of around 22°C), the frontrunners opted for the hard-compound ‘H’ version of the 18-inch interior diameter MICHELIN Pilot Sport tyres. The only variant was the decision to carry either two spare wheels or, like Ogier/Ingrassia (CITROEN DS3 WRC), a single spare in order to save valuable weight.

Sunday’s cooler conditions brought a threat of rain and, although FORD continued to run the hard compound, MINI and CITROEN opted for a ‘mixed’ strategy which included the soft compound ‘S’ version of the MICHELIN Pilot Sport. Both teams carried soft compound tyres as spares, but the DS3 WRCs were on hard rubber all-round as they headed out for the final loop, while the MINIs ran two hard tyres and two softs on the car, in addition to the two soft-compound products in the boot. Thanks to this tactic, MINI was able to secure a one-two finish on the ‘Power Stage’ with Meeke and Sordo.

Here again, the performance and consistency of the crews’ MICHELIN tyres allowed them to put in extremely competitive times. The win ended up going to Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena (CITROËN DS3 WRC) who emerged in front from Day 1 before making sure of the 2011 Manufacturers’ crown for Citroën at the end of the event.

That achievement was hailed by Nick Shorrock, the director of MICHELIN Competition: “This title rounds off a very successful year for a team which celebrate its 10th win of the season here, despite the increasingly stiff competition it faces. I would also like to underline the maturity of all the drivers of our partner teams [Citroën, FORD and MINI] who have made the most of their MICHELIN tyres at the wheel of cars that are lighter and less powerful cars than those they campaigned last year. The speed at which they adapted highlights the quality of the tyres we developed for 2011.”

The final round of the season takes teams to Great Britain for Wales RallyGB (November 10-13) where the cars will compete on MICHELIN LATITUDE Cross H tyres.

The Italian manufacturer says it “develops its reference product through technologies and advances learned from its highest-level production series, the World Superbike Championship, for which it is the sole supplier.”

Since 2005, Pirelli’s 16.5” Diablo Superbike tyres have been the sole reference rubber in the Superbike World Championship, with the tyre also used in World Endurance, BSB and CIV. Currently, Pirelli supplies 17” race tyres to local Superbike Championships in New Zealand, Holland, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Canada, Malaysia and many other local championships.

Pirelli says that the 17” slick tyre is the optimal response for those seeking top performance without having to modify the chassis or wheels of the motorcycle.

Compared to the 16.5” slick, Pirelli says the 17” tyre offers a thicker tread for better handling and consistency. Its footprint in mid to full lean is approximately 10 per cent wider thanks to a higher profile and a carcass able to endure more side force.

The Superbike World Championship, of which Pirelli remains the sole supplier, returns in 2012 at the Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah.

Milan, September 16th, 2011

The P Zero White medium tyre and P Zero Yellow soft tyres will be used in Japan. For Korea, just one week later, the P Zero Yellow soft and P Zero Red Supersoft have been nominated.

The Suzuka circuit, which hosts the Japanese Grand Prix, contains a wide variety of fast and medium speed corners, such as the famous Spoon Curve and 130R. This makes it ideal territory for the versatile P Zero White tyre, with the P Zero Yellow tyre – which has been used at every race so far this year – as the option.

Korea, inaugurated last year, is a tighter and twistier circuit with low grip. Because of this, the P Zero Yellow soft and P Zero Red supersoft tyres have been nominated: the same combination used for Monaco, Canada, Hungary and Singapore.

Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery commented: “After careful analysis of all the data we have available, we have come up with what we believe to be the nominations that are best suited to the characteristics of each circuit. While Suzuka is a track that we’ve competed on before, both in GT racing and on motorbikes, Korea is a circuit that most people are still learning about. Nonetheless, we benefit from advanced simulation technology that allows us to accurately predict the likely behaviour of each tyre even on tracks that we have never seen before. The extra performance of the supersoft makes it one of the most dynamic tyres in our range, which will form a key part of the strategy in Korea. Before then, the combination of medium and soft that will be used in Japan was last seen on our home grand prix in Italy, resulting in an extremely exciting race.”

First Launched in March, Cinturato P1 becomes more environmentally friendly as Audi electric concept is given its world premiere at the German show

The new tyre’s design features 21” wheels and different front and rear sizes

Frankfurt, 15th September 2011 – Pirelli unveils the Cinturato P1 special edition developed for the Audi electric concept car that will be making its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor show. Launched in March 2011 for 14 to 16 inch rims, Cinturato P1 is now offered in a special version for 21 inch rims having different front and rear tyres in order to meet the driving characteristics of the Audi electric prototype. Designed by Pirelli R & D for small and medium-sized vehicles, the high-tech eco tyre from the Cinturato family is under the spotlight at the show in sizes 125/60 R21 for front and 145/50 R21 for rear. With this stylish, original design, the Cinturato P1 special edition tyre is reminiscent of the first half of the 20th century (like those of the renowned Isotta Fraschini), but with a performance that upholds the technology and sustainability of the new Cinturato.

Leading-edge technology. The 21” Cinturato P1 consolidates the technological partnership between Pirelli and Audi. The Cinturato design stage began in January 2011; working in close cooperation, the Audi Special Projects Department and Pirelli Research & Development Centre in Milan have studied every detail in order to allow such narrow, lightweight tyres to guarantee maximum vehicle stability and fully satisfy the electric prototype’s driving characteristics. Pirelli has developed the tyres by customising not only compounds, but also tread pattern, thus making the vehicle as quiet as possible for driver and passengers, whilst offering optimum grip when cornering and braking in the wet.

Environmentally-responsible. The Cinturato P1 special edition on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show combines the typical environmentally-friendly features of Cinturato tyres with the benefits guaranteed by the Audi electric prototype. Highly aromatic oil free (HAOF) compounds, low rolling resistance, reduced carbon footprint and higher mileage embrace the green philosophy of the electric vehicle, thus strengthening the concept of sustainable mobility.

Milan, 15 September 2011

Both Renault Clio R3 driver Andrea Nucita and Citroen DS3 R3 driver Simone Campedelli and have a chance of lifting the title, thanks to a series of superlative performances this year on Pirelli’s rally tyres.

After five rounds, Nucita currently leads the standings with 192 points to Campedelli’s 143. However, the points system still mean that it is possible for Campedelli – recently crowned Italian 2WD Champion – to claim the title.

Nucita, co-driven by Sara Cotone, has the odds stacked in his favour but still has to make sure that he finishes the challenging all-asphalt San Martino event: no easy task, as it is one of the most difficult rallies on the Italian calendar.

“I’m very proud to represent my home region of Sicily and naturally we will be trying our hardest to succeed here,” said the 21-year-old. “Throughout the season we’ve been very fortunate to have the support of Pirelli: the tyres have performed excellently in a very wide variety of conditions, which makes me optimistic for this latest round of the championship. But of course I am not taking anything for granted.”

Campedelli, who has also been victorious on Pirelli tyres this year, has promised to go flat-out in order to try and wrap up his second title of the year.

“Even though we started one rally later than our rivals this year, we still stand a mathematical chance of taking the Junior championship,” said Campedelli. “It’s not going to be an easy task, as it’s my first time here and we’re going to have to pay close attention to the changeable weather conditions. But we’re going to fight down to the very last metre of the rally!”

Both Junior drivers have used a wide variety of Pirelli tyres throughout the course of the season, helping them to claim victories both on gravel and asphalt, in an ample range of different weather and road conditions. It has been another extremely successful season for Pirelli on the Italian Rally Championship, so far winning the overall title thanks to Paolo Andreucci and Peugeot Italia with two rounds to go, as well as the 2WD title with Campedelli on the penultimate round.

The Rally San Martino di Castrozza, the final round of the Italian Championship, is well-known for its changeable mountain weather, and the event gets underway on Thursday 15 September with a ceremonial start and spectator superspecial stage. Two full days of action then take place on Friday and Saturday, before the finish back in San Martino on Saturday afternoon – where the 2011 Italian Junior champion will be crowned.

Launched in 1999, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices are the first global reference tracing the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide.

As per 2010, this year’s review was carried out by SAM Group, the Swiss asset management group that is responsible for the assessment and selection process for admission to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices.

The SAM Group considered criteria including corporate governance, risk management, codes of conduct, brand management and innovation processes. On the environmental front, it examined reporting, environmental policies, procedures and systems, responsible product management, climate change and emissions reduction strategy and energy efficiency.

The social criteria included development and management of human resources, philanthropy, health and safety in the workplace, supply chain management and stakeholder engagement.

The Pirelli Group has long had an advanced sustainability governance system for managing the economic, social and environmental impact associated with its processes, products and services.

Sustainability is at the core of Pirelli and is an integral part of the Group’s vision and growth strategy and is considered in all aspects of its business and management choices.

Monza, September 11th, 2011

Vettel stopped twice en route to a commanding win, starting on the P Zero Yellow soft tyre that he used to set pole position yesterday, before pitting for a new set of softs on lap 20 and finally changing to a set of the P Zero White medium tyres with 18 laps to go on lap 35, in a pit stop that lasted for just 2.9 seconds.

A two-stop strategy was the most popular choice, with only the Sauber of Sergio Perez planning a one-stop race – but the Mexican was denied a likely points finish by a mechanical problem just after half-distance.

While Vettel enjoyed a comfortable victory, there were some incredible fights for position behind him. Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher and McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton had a breath-taking battle for third that lasted for the entire first half of the race on the P Zero Yellow soft tyres.

In the second half of the race, Jenson Button fought his way past Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso – who led into the first corner after a great start – on the P Zero White tyres. These harder tyres were also used by Lewis Hamilton to set the fastest lap of the race: 1m26.187s.

Hamilton then chased down Alonso in the closing stages of the race, moving to within a second of the Spaniard on the final lap. Alonso resisted to score Ferrari’s 650th podium in Formula One on home territory, and bring the total of his career driver points to beyond 1000.

It was also a successful home race for the Toro Rosso team, which brought both their cars home in the points thanks to seventh place for Jaime Alguersuari (who made up 11 places after starting from 18th on the grid) and 10th for Sebastian Buemi. Both cars started on soft tyres, before completing a second stint on the soft compound and finishing the race on the harder tyre.

Bruno Senna claimed his first points finish in Formula One with Pirelli in ninth place, using a three-stop strategy after qualifying 10th and starting on a new set of medium tyres after not running during Q3. This meant that he was able to finish the race on the softer P Zero Yellow tyres.

Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery commented: “Our first home race in the very special surroundings of Monza was everything that we hoped it would be, and the fact that there are five world champions in the top five just underlines the quality of the action. We experienced a very hot Monza weekend but despite these high temperatures and the sheer energy that the track puts through the carcasses, both the soft and the medium tyres stood up extremely well to this massive test, with no blistering beyond the usual parameters and very good durability. It meant that none of the drivers had to hold back and we saw some great entertainment all the way down the field from start to finish. We’re now looking forward to our very first night race at Singapore, which the heat here has prepared us well for, where we will see the return of our P Zero Red supersoft tyres.”

The Power Stage was won by seven-time world champion Sébastien Loeb (CITROEN DS3 WRC) who stays at the top of the provisional Drivers’ standings, despite a crash on the morning of Day 1 (Friday, September 9) that could have seen him lose his advantage in this year’s title chase. Fortunately for him, his team-mate Sébastien Ogier, who could have profited from the chance to ease into the championship lead, went on to clout a tree with his DS3 WRC later that day. After several hours work on their cars by the CITROEN team’s mechanics, the two Frenchmen were able to re-join the rally on the Saturday morning.

New Zealanders Hayden Paddon/John Kennard succeeded in wrapping up the 2011 PWRC crown in their MICHELIN-equipped Subaru Impreza. Hayden Paddon is the first driver from Oceania to win one of the World Rally Championship titles.

Jacques Morelli, the manager of MICHELIN’s rally programmes, was globally pleased with the performance of the hard-compound MICHELIN LATITUDE Cross H1 which was the only tyre authorised for the Australian round of the 2011 WRC: “Friday’s rain made the stages extremely slippery. The treads of the LATITUDE CROSS tyres became filled with compact mud and were unable to demonstrate their full potential with regard to grip. Even so, the event was able to continue, despite the fact rallies organised near Coffs Harbour are apparently frequently cancelled in wet weather because of the region’s clay-based tracks. The sun shone from Saturday onwards, though, and our tyres were able to deliver their usual performance.

“After analysing the tyres which came off the cars and listening to the drivers, it transpires that the hard-compound H1 option was the correct choice, except for Friday’s rain. We received positive
feedback from the drivers, especially concerning the LATITUDE CROSS’s consistency. Wear rates where very low from start to finish and no problems were reported.”

The next round of the WRC brings crews back to Europe for the asphalt Rallye de France Alsace (September 30-October 2) where MICHELIN’s partners will be able to choose between the H
(hard) and S (soft) versions of the PILOT Sport, depending on the prevailing conditions.