On Friday, the teams actively worked on tires – both with the three compounds that the tire makers had prepared for this stage, and with the new C2, which will be put into use next year.
Simone Berra, Pirelli chief engineer: “The stress on the tires is high in Suzuka and today we were able to do a lot. In addition to the usual work list, we tested a new version of the C2 roster for next season. It was important to work with the teams to gather as much information as possible. We are grateful to the teams and riders who have agreed to include these tests in their regular work programme.
We were able to drive more than 1300 km on the new C2 tires, but based on the first reviews, they do not offer the increase in grip that we expected. Now the information must be carefully analyzed before a final decision is made.
As for the three compounds chosen for the Suzuki, their wear is in line with our expectations, given the high temperature of the asphalt and the characteristics of the track. While the difference between one and two pit stops seemed insignificant before the start of the weekend, the balance is now clearly shifting towards two pit stops.”
Source: F1 News

I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.