Yas Marina Circuit proves to be an ideal venue for testing tyres

On the face of it, Abu Dhabi, a land hardly known for regular rain fall, would not be the obvious choice to host wet-weather testing.

Yet, this week, Yas Marina Circuit has been the venue for Pirelli, the tyre manufacturer, as they prepare for the new Formula One season, with officials from the Italian firm saying that the facility was the only one able to give them the conditions that they required.

Last night and Monday evening saw the Abu Dhabi track doused in water by a sprinkler truck to allow Pirelli to analyse how their previously untested wet and intermediate tyre compounds would handle the conditions as they collect data ahead of the first race of the season in Bahrain on March 13.

Pedro de la Rosa, the former Arrows, McLaren and BMW Sauber driver and now Pirelli's official test driver, drove an old Toyota TF109 around the track on both days as officials from the tyre maker looked to make assessments on what compounds they need to supply for the likes of Sebastian Vettel, the world champion, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and the rest of the drivers for the 2011 season.

So why Yas Marina for this test? Paul Hembery, Pirelli's Formula One team director, said the track, with its ability to hold night racing with its impressive floodlighting, fitted in perfectly with the scenario they were looking to create.

"We wanted to find some warm conditions to try and replicate what we might get in Malaysia, Singapore or Japan for example," he said yesterday.

"Having the floodlight system was essential as obviously you go to hot tracks but, of course, you put the water down and the sun will dry the track out.

"It was a unique proposition being able to drive here at night, and this was the only track to which we could come to have the heat and the night lighting, so we are very pleased with that."

Monday's test was aimed at using the wet-weather compound throughout, while last night's test was designed to look at the situations where the track dries sufficiently for a car to switch from wet to intermediate tyres.

Hembery was delighted with the conditions created by Yas Marina for the tests.

"The circuit has stayed constantly wet and, when you are wet-weather testing, that is normally the biggest problem we have because normally the surface drains away and you can't replicate the conditions during the different trials," he said. "We are very pleased, they have done a great job here."

In last season's championship, there were four races and two qualifying sessions where either wet or intermediates were the tyres of choice after rain had hit the tracks.

With pre-season testing for teams limited to next month's four tests in Spain and one in Bahrain in early March, it is important for Pirelli to have their wet-weather compounds decided now, with no guarantee of rain falling in the ensuing tests.

Richard Cregan, the chief executive at Yas Marina, said: "Yas Marina Circuit was designed to provide motorsport with just these type of unique opportunities.

"It is with great pride that we are able to assist Pirelli with such a crucial part of their testing plan prior to the 2011 F1 season."

Pirelli are taking over from Bridgestone as sole tyre supplier in the series, and de la Rosa, who has been in the role as Pirelli's test driver since being dropped by BMW Sauber after last August's Belgian Grand Prix, has been testing dry as well as wet tyres in preparation for the season.

There is an air of unpredicatability about how the Pirelli tyres will affect the handling of F1 cars compared to the Bridgestone tyres, but De la Rosa is confident the grid will cope.

"It will be different for sure, but a good driver should be able to adapt," the Spaniard said.

"I have never heard of a good driver that has not been able to adapt. Change is a part of Formula One and I am sure within a couple of races all the teams will be fine."

gcaygill@thenational.ae