F1: Understanding Tires Key To Success, Says Horner

Formula 1

F1: Understanding Tires Key To Success, Says Horner

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says the role of tires is crucial this season...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted May 11, 2012 Barcelona (ESP)

Christian Horner says he has no concerns about tire management playing a major role this year. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Christian Horner is hopeful that Red Bull can maintain its Bahrain winning form in Barcelona, but says that it will be impossible to judge the situation until qualifying, especially with tires being such a key factor this season.

“I think that after the first four flyaways we’ve learned a lot,” said Horner. “It’s certainly different this year. I think particularly understanding the perfect operating window for these tires is important, as all teams I’m sure recognize.

“Bahrain was a very strong race for us, and we’re hoping to build on that momentum this weekend. We’re expecting very strong challenges from all the teams that have shown performance so far this year.

“Until we get into qualifying, I have no idea, because the form book has been turned upside down this year in terms of what perhaps your expectations are versus reality. I think Barcelona is always a good test venue from a chassis point of view, and that’s why we come here during the winter. I think it will be fairly interesting to see in the conditions and so on who’s made a step forward and who’s managing the tires best at the end of the day.”

Horner says he has no concerns about tire management playing such a major role this year.

“I think the tires are the key performance factor, and extracting the maximum out of the tire at the moment is crucial,” the Red Bull team boss said. “I don’t think it’s taken for granted that this will be a circuit that suits our car.

“They are an overriding element at the moment, but it’s the same for everybody. It’s ultimately healthy for F1 to have a single tire supplier. In years gone by when there were two tire suppliers, in some instances teams wouldn’t even have access to the tires that were maybe the preferred ones. It’s the same for everybody at the end of the day. And it’s an added challenge. It’s certainly from the fans’ point of view produced some really exciting races this year.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.

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