Aug
24th
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From GMM
Pirelli on Saturday said metal debris, not a tire design flaw, caused the rear failures and cuts seen at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday.
The latest tire problems revived memories of June's tire-exploding chaos at Silverstone, and reportedly pushed the drivers back to the brink of boycott.
The new saga has arisen after Sebastian Vettel suffered a rear failure during practice at high-speed Spa-Francorchamps on Friday, reviving fears of a repeat of June's tire-exploding British grand prix.
It later emerged that a similar failure had occurred at the rear and on the same side on Fernando Alonso's Ferrari, while Speed Week said yet more drivers had also reported problems.
But Pirelli said on Saturday morning that the punctures had been traced to a piece of metal debris on the circuit that had fallen from Kimi Raikkonen's Lotus.
Motor sport boss Paul Hembery told reporters: "There are certainly no tire-related issues.
"We've seen no signs of fatigue and from our point of view there's no reason to be concerned."
Media reports said the Pirelli investigation had allayed the nervous drivers' fears.
But it hasn't stopped rumours Michelin, reportedly backed politically by FIA president Jean Todt, is poised to return to F1 to replace Pirelli in 2014.
The BBC said the French marque has already held talks with the governing body, while a Michelin spokesman confirmed the company is still "interested" in F1 but would want a shift away from the new era of heavy tire degradation.
Pirelli on Saturday said metal debris, not a tire design flaw, caused the rear failures and cuts seen at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday.
The latest tire problems revived memories of June's tire-exploding chaos at Silverstone, and reportedly pushed the drivers back to the brink of boycott.
The new saga has arisen after Sebastian Vettel suffered a rear failure during practice at high-speed Spa-Francorchamps on Friday, reviving fears of a repeat of June's tire-exploding British grand prix.
It later emerged that a similar failure had occurred at the rear and on the same side on Fernando Alonso's Ferrari, while Speed Week said yet more drivers had also reported problems.
But Pirelli said on Saturday morning that the punctures had been traced to a piece of metal debris on the circuit that had fallen from Kimi Raikkonen's Lotus.
Motor sport boss Paul Hembery told reporters: "There are certainly no tire-related issues.
"We've seen no signs of fatigue and from our point of view there's no reason to be concerned."
Media reports said the Pirelli investigation had allayed the nervous drivers' fears.
But it hasn't stopped rumours Michelin, reportedly backed politically by FIA president Jean Todt, is poised to return to F1 to replace Pirelli in 2014.
The BBC said the French marque has already held talks with the governing body, while a Michelin spokesman confirmed the company is still "interested" in F1 but would want a shift away from the new era of heavy tire degradation.