Tyre Wear in F1 Challenge VB

I appreciate that the answer to this is probably I need to learn to drive better, but I've noticed that even with TC and AL Brakes on the Hard tyre is wearing out and blistering after only about 10 laps (this is '96 Interlagos if that matters). Is this just to be expected or am I doing something wrong? It would be a shame to turn off tyre wear just to make the car drivable.