Mar.12 (GMM) Jaime Alguersuari has leapt to Pirelli's defense, claiming this year's tyres are actually better than the 2012 range.

Throughout the winter, tales of disintegrating tyres have raised alarm up and down the paddock, with some predicting handfuls of pitstops come Melbourne.

Speaking on Austrian television Servus TV, Pirelli test driver Alguersuari admitted there is a "big difference" between last year's tyres and the 2013 range.

But he said: "They last longer and are more efficient.

"We will see much more stable tyres than last year, but that doesn't mean races will be decided with one pitstop.

"All the compounds are one step softer this year," added Alguersuari.

Indeed, it is now widely acknowledged that although Pirelli's new tyres did not work well on the Spanish test tracks this winter, that is because the temperatures were simply too cold.

"So I am going to try not to judge them yet," laughed quadruple world champion Alain Prost, according to sports.fr.

"At least everybody is in the same boat, so it could be an interesting show," added the F1 legend.

Indeed, Pirelli's motor sport director Paul Hembery has been saying again and again than everything will be different come Australia, where temperatures will be much higher.

"But he probably has not read the weather forecast for the weekend," noted Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Tobias Gruner.

Tuesday is stifingly hot in Melbourne, but temperatures are set to drop to the low 20s on Saturday and Sunday, with the chance of showers.

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