Pirelli performance on par with Bridgestone

McLaren test driver Gary Paffett reckons the new Pirelli tires are very similar to the old Bridgestone rubber.

With Pirelli replacing Bridgestone as F1's official tire supplier next season, the teams were given special dispensation to hold a two-day test using the new rubber.

Paffett was in action for McLaren on the opening morning on Friday, completing 49 laps of the Yas Marina circuit with a best time of 1:41.588, which put him fifth on the timesheets.

However, the two-day test is aimed more towards evaluating the Pirelli rubber, rather than seeing who is quickest.

And the first verdict is already out courtesy of Paffett.

"First half a day over and pretty good so far Pirelli tires seem to be working well and not too different from Bridgestone so a good start," he Tweeted