Isola warns drivers and teams of rapidly changing conditions

Pirelli is allowing F1 teams to choose from an eye-catching 'tire palette' at the Australian Grand Prix. Pirelli chief Mario Isola is additionally warning teams about all the new conditions this year at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne.

Pirelli supplies the rubber like every race and this week the Italian tire supplier has chosen to skip a compound in the teams' choice menu. That's not all, however, as Isola is also warning the teams of a busy weekend. The circuit has not been driven for quite some time, the track has been modified, there is new asphalt, the cars are new and the tires are new.

Isola warns teams and drivers

In a press statement from Pirelli, the Italian says: "The drivers have not driven here for two years and there are now several question marks surrounding the Australian Grand Prix. Firstly, the circuit has been thoroughly revised to make overtaking easier. There is also new asphalt that will be very smooth. This will ensure that there is very little grip at the start of the weekend." Isola expects track conditions to change quickly this weekend due to the new asphalt. If it rains, the track will become extremely slippery. Since this year's race is later than it usually is, weather conditions may fluctuate a bit. In the southern hemisphere, autumn has now started.

Isola: "Finally, we are dealing with a completely new generation of F1 cars and tires that the drivers are still learning to deal with. All these factors mean that there is a lot of work to do for the teams and the drivers during practice." In addition to the changes to the track layout, there will also be no less than four DRS zones on the circuit this year. This should dramatically increase the number of overtakes at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne though. The DRS system has been subjected to critical scrutiny by the F1 community in recent weeks. The artificial 'overtaking aid' may have become too strong.