F1: Mercedes Engines Wearing Out Pirelli Tires?

Formula 1

F1: Mercedes Engines Wearing Out Pirelli Tires?

Mercedes has struggled with excessive tire wear all season...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted August 09, 2012 GMM Newswire

Degradation has been a problem for Mercedes' tires in 2012. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

McLaren, Mercedes and Force India are all struggling with excessive tire wear this year.

And according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, the likely culprit is the trio's common engine supplier.

"Lotus, Red Bull and Ferrari can make a set of tires last longer than we can," said McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.

Auto Motor und Sport said one theory doing the rounds is that the superior mid-range power of Mercedes' V8 engine is wearing the rear Pirelli tires too much.

"On the way out of corners, we are able to keep up," said Sauber's Sergio Perez. "But then there comes a phase when the Force India can pull away, so long as their tires are fresh."

Mercedes' team boss Ross Brawn acknowledged that the "characteristic of the engine has a large influence on the degradation of the tires."

Auto Motor und Sport said Mercedes has "recognized the problem" and is working at full speed to improve its engine torque maps.

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