"A twisty and slippery circuit will often put more heat through the tire than a fast and flowing layout as the tire is moving around more -- particularly when the ambient temperatures are high, " said Paul Hembery, managing director of F1's sole supplier Pirelli.

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What sets Alexza apart is its counterintuitive scheme to apply heat to turn pills or liquids into a fast-acting smoke.

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Harvey (4-0) was equal to the challenge and started out fast, striking out leadoff man Denard Span with 98 mph heat.

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