( CNN ) -- Formula One 's new tire provider Pirelli has simulated rainfall in the desert to test its wet-weather products ahead of the 2011 season . The Italian company , which returns to the elite motorsport after a 20-year absence as official supplier in place of Bridgestone , coated the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi in water for the unprecedented two-night session . Pedro de la Rosa , who raced for Sauber last year , was at the wheel for the final test on Tuesday . The 39-year-old Spaniard drove a Toyota TF109 , the last car made by the Japanese manufacturer before it exited Formula One in 2009 . The tests , which took place between 6 p.m. and midnight local time , were designed to investigate how the tires handled hot and cold tarmac . `` We decided to do it this way because we want to challenge our rain tires with the most difficult and demanding of all situations , '' Pirelli 's F1 team director Paul Hembery told the company 's website on Monday . `` And who knows , perhaps it could be a good idea for a future grand prix ? These tests will provide us with useful information to finalize our tire development process for Formula One . `` It is seven months since we started developing our tires and five since we started with the actual testing . We are very satisfied with the results so far . '' De la Rosa took part in 14 races with Sauber last year before being replaced by Nick Heidfeld after the Italian Grand Prix in September . Heidfeld , De la Rosa and former Renault driver Romain Grosjean have been testing Pirelli 's range of tires over a period of nine sessions , from wet and intermediate rubber to super-soft and soft compounds . The Yas Marina circuit has been the setting for the final grand prix of the racing calendar since 2009 , and was the scene of Sebastian Vettel 's maiden world championship triumph last November . The 12 Formula One teams set to compete in the 2011 season should be present for the first official pre-season test in Valencia , Spain on February 1 .
Pirelli has been testing its wet-weather tires for the 2011 season in Abu Dhabi . The Yas Marina circuit was coated with water to simulate rainy conditions . Pedro de la Rosa again drove a Toyota Formula One car for the two-night session .