Valtteri Bottas says Pirelli's 2019 tyres feel similar to their predecessors.

For this year, the colour identification of the tyres has changed, with only 'hard', 'medium' and 'hard' tyres to be marked at each grand prix in the interest of simplicity.

'Seem really shiny'

Also the compounds have been tweaked.

READ: Pirelli design new rain tyres for 2019

But the difference that caught the most attention as winter testing began in Barcelona was that the brand new Pirelli tyres had a very shiny appearance.

You might have noticed that our tyres have a more shiny look to them this year. This is because we are using chrome moulds for the first time in #F1 (we’ve tried them before in #F2). There’s no effect on performance, but they look nice, don’t they?! #Fit4F1 @F1 pic.twitter.com/IjSWN5b4ef
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) February 18, 2019

"I don't know what it is, but they seem to be really shiny," Mercedes driver Bottas told Finland's MTV.

Pirelli later explained that the shine is due to the use of chrome moulds.

"They are not more slippery when you go out of the pits, they just look more shiny. In truth they are the same as last year. There's really no great difference," the Finn added.

Wheels24.co.za | Valtteri Bottas observes \'really shiny\' Pirelli tyres

Valtteri Bottas observes 'really shiny' Pirelli tyres