Kumho has been the sole tyre supplier to the F1 feeder series Auto GP since 2012, and from day one has provided product aimed at giving drivers experience of the type of tyre management so fundamental to today’s Grand Prix racing – the level they all aspire to. Now Kumho has gone one step further.
Whereas last season’s tyres were closest to F3000 ones in terms of size, (with a different diameter front to rear) those created new for the 2014 season are not only all the same diameter, but equivalent to those used in F1, ie size 660-13 – 245mm wide at the front and 325mm at the rear. These latest specification tyres are also being produced in a softer compound than their predecessors.
Commenting on the upgrade, Kumho’s European Motorsport Manager Steve Thompson said: “Auto GP is the nearest formula to F1 in terms of speed and downforce, and the cars even compete on some of the same international circuits. It is therefore logical to make the tyres as close to Grand Prix specification as possible, thereby guaranteeing the drivers invaluable experience for their futures. It’s no bad thing for us to be developing and making tyres equivalent to those used at the pinnacle of motorsport either.
“The new generation product was very well received in testing last year and we look forward to giving the 2014 drivers full experience of the tyres at the formula’s final pre-season test in Valencia on April 1/2.”
In a further echo of F1, Auto GP qualifying will now be based on a knockout format, with each 30 minute session being split into Q1 (20 minutes) and Q2 (10 minutes) segments. The fastest 10 drivers from Q1 will progress to Q2 and have the chance to fight for pole position.
The championship is fought out over 16 rounds run at eight tracks around the world. The first meeting of the 2014 series will be held at the Moulay El Hassan Circuit, Marrakesh, Morocco on April 12/13. Auto GP is the only high-level motor racing series to award money to its top drivers at every meeting, and the leading points-scorer over a weekend receives no less than 20,000 Euros.
