Tyre strategies are likely to play an important role at this weekend's Spanish GP, according to Pirelli motorsport boss Paul Hembery.
Although not everyone is happy with the Italian manufacturer, the high degradation of their tyres has made for some interesting races so far this season with four different drivers winning the first four races.
Things are likely to be even trickier for teams at Barcelona this weekend as Pirelli have opted to use the soft and hard compound at the Circuit de Catalunya.
"There is a whole step in between our two nominations for the first time this year and this should allow the teams to come up with a number of different tyre strategies that could make a big difference to the final outcome," Hembrey said.
"With many teams having expanded their knowledge of our tyre range and tested new components at Mugello, we're expecting a closely-fought Spanish Grand Prix - and maybe even the fifth different winner in five races..."
Two of the three pre-season tests took place at the Catalunya track, but Hembrey warns that teams will face a different challenge due to the change in overhead conditions.
"The Spanish Grand Prix weekend should present something of a contrast to the last pre-season test in Barcelona, where low ambient temperatures meant that it was difficult to get heat into the tyres!" he said.
"This time we're expecting warmer weather, which only adds to the many challenges that the tyres will face here."
