Pirelli is hoping to give its 2012 tires a first proper test on contemporary Formula 1 cars at the forthcoming Abu Dhabi young driver test.
Although the final details of the test have not yet been finalised, Pirelli's director of motorsport Paul Hembery has said that he is making preparations for a selection of its 2012-specification rubber to be available for the three-day test at the Yas Marina circuit.
"Our knowledge is that we are going forward with a selection of products for 2012, with the new structure profiles and some of the new compounds," said Hembery, when asked by AUTOSPORT about the tire plans for the test that takes place in the week after the Abu Dhabi Grand?Prix.
"Things seem to be progressing along those lines. It is good for us and good for the teams, so they can start thinking about what will happen next year. It is important because there will be changes. The grip from the rear tire will be higher, and change the balance of the car."
Pirelli is planning a range of revisions to its tires for next year, which include new profiles for both front and rears, a new structure for the rear tire and different compounds. As part of the program, it is hoped that teams will get a selection of the 2012 rubber to compare with standard 2011 tires that will also be made available at the test.
"We have a program detailed for that," added Hembery. "The 2012 designs have so far only run on the Pirelli test car – an updated 2009 Toyota – which has now reached the end of its useful working life.
Pirelli is trying to find a solution so that it can conduct some track testing next year, rather than relying entirely on simulation data.