Pirelli Denies 2011 Tires Built for Schumacher

The new Formula 1 season will undoubtedly look much different from its predeceasing year, especially if we are to consider race strategy. And that's because Pirelli has become the new tire supplier of the series and, more importantly, the highly degradable compounds they developed for 2011 will enhance multiple pit stops Sunday in and out.

In addition to that obvious characteristic however, there is one more thing that the new Pirelli tires seem to do, namely benefit the drivers who favor front grip and oversteer. And what two names pop into one's mind when talking about these driving techniques if not those of Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher?

Arguably, both have enjoyed their share of struggles on the former Bridgestone compounds in 2010, and the switch to Pirelli has had some obvious effects on their form in recent testing. Schumacher and Massa did plenty to pleasantly surprise the audience this winter, leading some to believe that Pirelli designed their new tires to also favor some of the drivers.

Needless to say, Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery dismissed the idea from the get go, saying that the only thing taken into account when designing the 2011 tires was the prospect of seeing multiple pit stops this year.

“We did not design our tires for the specific needs of a driver like Michael Schumacher in mind,” he said, according to the Auto Bild, while adding that the new tires will lead to some interesting race strategies in the upcoming season. “For the strategists but also for the drivers, the races are now an even greater challenge.”