From GMM

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali agrees there should be some specific track testing for F1's new 2011 tyre supplier.

FOTA technical chief Ross Brawn said in Turkey that despite the in-season testing ban, there should be some running exempted for the development of the new tyres in the "late summer and early winter".

Mercedes reserve driver Nick Heidfeld recently put his hand up to do some tyre testing this year, as current supplier Bridgestone is set to be replaced by either Pirelli or Michelin for the 2011 season.

Domenicali agrees that tyre testing will be a priority.

"Yes, this is what we have to discuss with the tyre manufacturer as soon as we have decided and we know who will be the supplier for next year," he said.

It is suggested that, due to the late appointment of a new supplier, tyre tests have become even more necessary, given the short development lead-time and the danger that cars and tyres will not be ideally optimised.

"Clearly we need to have some specific testing to make sure the tyres are sorted properly," agreed Brawn.

"It may take a few iterations to get where we want to be and undoubtedly there will be a degree of conservatism at the beginning because we can't afford to have any problems with compounds.

"But we're all there to help the new tyre supplier and I think we've got a good chance of success," he added.