Thursday 2 September at 16:01 : Sep.2 (GMM) Pirelli continued its formula one tyre development programme this week.

After Nick Heidfeld tried the Italian marque's 2011 prototypes for the first time recently at Mugello, the German was back at the wheel of the 2009 Toyota for two more days at Paul Ricard in France.

"We're very happy with the progress we've made so far, which actually puts us slightly ahead of where we expected to be at this point in time," said motor sport director Paul Hembery.

The next Pirelli test will take place in two weeks in Spain.