Pirelli yesterday unveiled a new range of tyres which they are convinced will improve the show in Formula One.

Ahead of their third season in the sport, and with talks ongoing over a new deal, Pirelli say the changes introduced will result in at least two pit stops being required per car at every grand prix.

The Italian manufacturer have improved performance, with the tyres faster by up to half-a-second per lap and with the time gap between compounds widened to at least 0.5secs.

The result should be an increase overtaking opportunities and enhanced race strategies.

“The goal is to continuously set new challenges for the drivers and to ensure all the teams start the new season on a level playing field when it comes to the tyres,” Pirelli director Paul Hembery said.

Pirelli’s calculations are based on thousands of computer simulations using sophisticated predictive software.

Pirelli also covered several thousand kilometres in five private tests at the circuits of Jerez, Spa, Barcelona and Paul Ricard, with Jaime Alguersuari and Lucas di Grassi at the wheel.