Lewis Hamilton has heaped praise on Pirelli’s new HyperSoft tyre claiming it the best the Italian supplier has produced since returning to Formula 1 in 2011.
The new pink-striped compound is to be introduced in 2018 and is a step softer than the UltraSoft rubber, which itself has only been used since 2016, as Pirelli widen their range from five to seven different types of slick tyre with a backup SuperHard also created.
Drivers had the chance to sample the new, more aggressive compounds for the first time on Tuesday at the start of a two-day test at Yas Marina with the approach in response to criticism over this year’s tyres being too conservative.
“I’m not really the biggest fan of testing but it’s been a positive first day of running with these new tyres,” the world champion commented. “We managed to complete plenty of laps and collected lots of data and feedback to ensure we head in the right direction over the winter.
“We’ve got a good early understanding of these 2018 Pirelli tyres and on early impression, the new HyperSoft is the best tyre that Pirelli have produced since returning to F1.”
Compared to the high-degrading rubber of pre-2017, while less durable the new compounds are still designed to allow drivers to push harder for longer. Hamilton thinks, however, there is still margin for even softer tyres.
“I found that the other compounds are still a bit too hard for my liking but we’re moving in the right direction,” he claimed. “It’s a nice way to wrap up the season, with one last day in the W08. I’m definitely ready to take a break now, though!”
