The latest auto news, reviews, prices, product and vehicle releases. Jul
3rd
Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
From GMM
Pirelli has shifted the blame for the tire-exploding chaos of last weekend's British grand prix.
F1's Italian supplier insists its 2013 tires "do not compromise safety if used in the correct way".
After several cars experienced tire blow-outs, punctures and damage at Silverstone, Pirelli conducted an investigation and concluded the chaos was due to "a series of different causes".
"Rear tires mounted the wrong way round," a media statement summarised, "low tire pressures, extreme cambers and high kerbs".
Pirelli said teams under-inflating tires and using "extreme" camber settings "can be dangerous under certain circumstances".
"I'd like to reemphasise the fact that the 2013 range of tires, used in the correct way, is completely safe," said motor sport director Paul Hembery.
Nonetheless, Pirelli said that its new kevlar-belted tires - whose race introduction was recently vetoed by teams including Ferrari, Lotus and Sahara Force India - will now be used this weekend at the Nurburgring.
That is because the FIA has moved to immediately change the rule requiring teams to unanimously agree to mid-season structural changes.
Then, after the Nurburgring, an all-new tire will debut, combining "the 2012 structures with the 2013 compounds", Pirelli announced.
Pirelli's statement was interpreted by the media as the beleaguered marque shifting all the blame for Silverstone onto the teams.
But Hembery insisted: "In no way are we intending to create arguments or attack anybody. We are receiving the full support of all the parties involved, for which we are very grateful."
Retired F1 veteran Rubens Barrichello, however, said it is clear Pirelli's new range of tires over the winter triggered the problems of 2013.
"Last year, the overtaking was as good as it is today but there was less trouble with the tires. So Pirelli should look at whether the changes they made this year caused all of this," he told Brazil's Totalrace.
Pirelli has shifted the blame for the tire-exploding chaos of last weekend's British grand prix.
F1's Italian supplier insists its 2013 tires "do not compromise safety if used in the correct way".
After several cars experienced tire blow-outs, punctures and damage at Silverstone, Pirelli conducted an investigation and concluded the chaos was due to "a series of different causes".
"Rear tires mounted the wrong way round," a media statement summarised, "low tire pressures, extreme cambers and high kerbs".
Pirelli said teams under-inflating tires and using "extreme" camber settings "can be dangerous under certain circumstances".
"I'd like to reemphasise the fact that the 2013 range of tires, used in the correct way, is completely safe," said motor sport director Paul Hembery.
 |
| Photo: WRi2 |
Nonetheless, Pirelli said that its new kevlar-belted tires - whose race introduction was recently vetoed by teams including Ferrari, Lotus and Sahara Force India - will now be used this weekend at the Nurburgring.
That is because the FIA has moved to immediately change the rule requiring teams to unanimously agree to mid-season structural changes.
Then, after the Nurburgring, an all-new tire will debut, combining "the 2012 structures with the 2013 compounds", Pirelli announced.
Pirelli's statement was interpreted by the media as the beleaguered marque shifting all the blame for Silverstone onto the teams.
But Hembery insisted: "In no way are we intending to create arguments or attack anybody. We are receiving the full support of all the parties involved, for which we are very grateful."
Retired F1 veteran Rubens Barrichello, however, said it is clear Pirelli's new range of tires over the winter triggered the problems of 2013.
"Last year, the overtaking was as good as it is today but there was less trouble with the tires. So Pirelli should look at whether the changes they made this year caused all of this," he told Brazil's Totalrace.