F1: Tire pressure limits reduced at Monza

Formula 1 tire supplier Pirelli has decided to reduce the minimum tire pressures ahead of Italian Grand Prix qualifying.

Pirelli introduced higher minimum pressure limits this year to deal with increased loads as cars have got faster, leading to some drivers complaining they are too severe and adversely affect performance.

Several drivers complained about the pressures being too high at Spa last weekend, though no changes were made, and the feeling has been much the same at Monza.

But following analysis of the data from first and second practice on Friday, Pirelli has brought the pressures down.

The teams were originally given minimum pressures of 23.5 psi on the fronts and 21.5 psi for the rears. That has now been reduced by 0.5 psi at the front and 1 psi at the rear, creating new minimum pressures of 23.0 and 20.5 psi respectively.

Speaking about the tyres and pressures after Friday practice, McLaren's Jenson Button said: "It's not as demanding on the tires here, the downforce level is lower, so it's a bit easier.

"Also, the type of corners that are here are not so hard on tires. But still there's quite a lot of degradation on the long runs. The medium tire is quite hard to get working, whereas the super-soft and soft are degrading quite quick. So a one-stop race, which this has been for the last couple of years, is going to be tricky."

Originally on Autosport.com