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In the wake of the Formula One tyre-testing scandal and the ongoing controversy over this season’s fast-wearing tyres, Lotus has now questioned Pirelli’s decision to introduce more conservative tyres.
The move favours the teams that have struggled with the early-season tyre supply, but is a setback for those, like Lotus, that have adapted to the rubber and enjoyed good performances.
The switch comes after races earlier this year with a high number of pit-stops.
Lotus’ track operations director Alan Permane said the tyre choices seemed “conservative and contrary to the supposed approach for the tyre allocations in 2013.”
He said: “The individual compounds – super-soft, soft, medium and hard – were made softer for each grade this year in order to present teams with a challenge, which is what we saw at some races earlier in the season.
“That work is undone if you simply allocate harder compounds for races, as we’ve seen with those nominated for the next three rounds.
“It’s certainly unusual to take the same tyres to Hungary as to Bahrain and Silverstone.
“The situation is quite similar to last year when the allocations went harder late in the year and we just ended up doing one-stop races.”
The move is expected to favour Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes and McLaren during the heart of the European season.
