Pirelli's motorsport manager Mario Isola says he is not concerned about potential tire wear at next week's Rally GB, despite continued warm and dry weather in Wales.
Pirelli's soft-compound Scorpion tire has been nominated for the Cardiff-based event and there had been concerns that the covers wouldn't last – particularly on the final day, where the crews will use the same tires for all four stages.
Rally organizers are not permitted to run a loop of stages more than 80km (49.68 miles) without a facility to change tires. Sunday's third and final day includes 49.61 miles of competitive action.
Isola said: "When we started the development of this tire in 2007, we tested the soft tire in the middle of the summer, in conditions which were completely unsuitable for the tire – and it lasted. On top of this, the teams have also made a lot of testing themselves with this tire and there were no problems.
"I'm not too worried about Wales, but don't forget the tire is the same for all of the drivers and they have to manage the tire the best they car."
Ford's Mikko Hirvonen admitted tire wear could be a problem in Wales. "The road surface is quite abrasive in places, so it's something worth thinking about," he said. "Then again, I'm pretty sure it's not going to be warm and dry for three days."