Alonso Tips New F1 Season to Be More Spicy

Fernando Alonso admitted once again that Formula 1 racing in 2011 will undoubtedly change due to the different texture and characteristics of the new Pirelli tires. And that's no news to anyone really, as the majority of media reports on Pirelli these past couple of weeks have been linked with the high level of tire wear provided by the different types of compounds.

“The tires are not lasting as long as (the Bridgestone's did) last year,” the Spaniard was quoted as saying in a recent interview with EFE news agency.

As requested by the very F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, Pirelli has developed tires that suffer higher degradation over a smaller period of time, which will turn all events in the 2011 calendar into 2 to 3 pit stop races. Also the different types of tire degradation – for example, the super soft tires wear out after only a few laps, while the hard ones wear out in 15 to 20 laps – will also lead to some interesting strategies for the 2011 season.

“After 15 or 20 laps they (the tires) run out of life,” added the Ferrari-an. “I think it will change the way races are run this year; there will be different strategies and more pit stops.”

While admitting that this might improve the show in Formula 1, Alonso reckoned it will add to the pressure and stress sustained by the teams and drivers through a racing weekend. His comments actually echo the ones of Sebastian Vettel, who admitted recently he's not personally keen on racing in F1 with so many technical changes in place for the new season.

“I hope this is good for the show, but for the teams and the drivers it will be a little more stressful,” concluded Alonso.