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Merc power wearing out Pirellis

McLaren, Mercedes and Force India have all struggled with excessive tyre wear this season - but now, perhaps, know why.

According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, the likely culprit is the trio's engine supplier - McLaren.

"Lotus, Red Bull and Ferrari can make a set of tyres last longer than we can," said McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.

'LARGE INFLUENCE'

Auto Motor und Sport said one theory doing the rounds was that the superior mid-range power of the Mercedes V8 is wearing the rear Pirellis too much.

Sauber's Sergio Perez said: "On the way out of corners, we are able to keep up, but then there comes a phase when the Force India cars can pull away, so long as their tyres are fresh."

Mercedes' team boss Ross Brawn acknowledged that "the characteristic of the engine has a large influence on the degradation of the tyres".

Auto Motor und Sport said Mercedes had "recognised the problem" and was working at full speed to improve its engine torque maps.
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