Up to 0.7 seconds between ultrasofts and new hypersofts

Pirelli sporting director Mario Isola has revealed the time differences for each of the 2018 F1 tyre compounds, and says that the new hypersoft tyre could be up to 0.7 seconds quicker per lap than the ultrasoft.

Isola said: "We now have a good idea of the performance differences between the compounds at this point of the season.

"There is around 0.7 seconds between the ultrasoft and the hypersoft, which corresponds to our expectations.

"After an uncertain start with bad weather last week, pre-season testing eventually turned out to be very productive with more representative conditions this week."

6 of last year's 7 tyre compounds have been reformulated for 2017, with the medium tyre being the only exception.

With the addition of the hypersoft and superhard tyres, there are now 9 different tyre comppounds.

However, only three dry compounds will be available to each team on race weekends.

Isola continued, saying: "The teams were able to comfortably complete more than 100 laps each per day.

"The biggest chance was the fact that the track had been resurfaced this year, making it smoother with more grip.

"The tarmac is much smoother but with a very good level of grip. That means we have less degredation and less wear."

Isola admitted that some teams had suffered from graining, but he wasn't shocked: "Blistering is not a surprise considering the energy the new cars are putting onto the new tyres.

"The next stop is the Australian Grand Prix. It will give us our first look at the 2018 tyres in a competitive context."