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Pirelli looks 'to strengthen tires'
Source: Agencies |
July 3, 2013, Wednesday
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PIRELLI is to strengthen its tires for the German Grand Prix after a series of dangerous blow-outs at Silverstone that led to calls for urgent action, the BBC reported yesterday.
The broadcaster said on its website that the Italian manufacturer would make the rear tires' internal belt with the high-strength synthetic fiber Kevlar instead of the usual steel to reduce temperatures and the risk of punctures.
Safety concerns were expressed after Sunday's British Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, Felipe Massa of Ferrari, Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso and Sergio Perez of McLaren all suffered blow-outs.
Formula One teams, Pirelli and motor sports world governing body the International Automobile Federation (FIA) have called a meeting at the Nurburgring for today to discuss the matter.
The BBC did not quote sources for its story but said that Pirelli was expected to announce the changes later.
Only the rear tires will be changed for Sunday's race, although a complete change would be introduced for the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 28 using the 2012 design, it added.
On Monday, facing a revolt from teams over the exploding tires, the FIA allowed in-season testing to allay safety fears and let Pirelli sort out the problem.
Jean Todt, the FIA president, said in a statement that the young drivers test scheduled for July 17-19 at Silverstone would now be opened to all F1 drivers, although Mercedes would be excluded after it was reprimanded for holding unsanctioned tire tests in May.
Todt said the unprecedented move ? in-season testing was banned in 2009 over cost concerns ? follows Sunday's race at Silverstone.
"Our priority is to ensure safety for all in Formula One and we believe the incidents at Silverstone represent a genuine safety concern for the drivers," Todt said. "We have thus taken the decision to alter the young driver test to allow teams to use drivers they deem fit to carry out tire development work in a bid to solve the problems we saw at the British Grand Prix. I believe it is fitting to carry out this work at the circuit upon which the issues were manifested."
Todt also said he would seek approval to amend FIA regulations to allow changes in tire specifications without the approval of all teams ? addressing a concern that some teams in the past have stymied efforts to make changes during the season.
He also called for Pirelli, to offer "assurance that there will be no repetition of the tire problems at this weekend's German Grand Prix or at subsequent grand prix".
The broadcaster said on its website that the Italian manufacturer would make the rear tires' internal belt with the high-strength synthetic fiber Kevlar instead of the usual steel to reduce temperatures and the risk of punctures.
Safety concerns were expressed after Sunday's British Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, Felipe Massa of Ferrari, Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso and Sergio Perez of McLaren all suffered blow-outs.
Formula One teams, Pirelli and motor sports world governing body the International Automobile Federation (FIA) have called a meeting at the Nurburgring for today to discuss the matter.
The BBC did not quote sources for its story but said that Pirelli was expected to announce the changes later.
Only the rear tires will be changed for Sunday's race, although a complete change would be introduced for the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 28 using the 2012 design, it added.
On Monday, facing a revolt from teams over the exploding tires, the FIA allowed in-season testing to allay safety fears and let Pirelli sort out the problem.
Jean Todt, the FIA president, said in a statement that the young drivers test scheduled for July 17-19 at Silverstone would now be opened to all F1 drivers, although Mercedes would be excluded after it was reprimanded for holding unsanctioned tire tests in May.
Todt said the unprecedented move ? in-season testing was banned in 2009 over cost concerns ? follows Sunday's race at Silverstone.
"Our priority is to ensure safety for all in Formula One and we believe the incidents at Silverstone represent a genuine safety concern for the drivers," Todt said. "We have thus taken the decision to alter the young driver test to allow teams to use drivers they deem fit to carry out tire development work in a bid to solve the problems we saw at the British Grand Prix. I believe it is fitting to carry out this work at the circuit upon which the issues were manifested."
Todt also said he would seek approval to amend FIA regulations to allow changes in tire specifications without the approval of all teams ? addressing a concern that some teams in the past have stymied efforts to make changes during the season.
He also called for Pirelli, to offer "assurance that there will be no repetition of the tire problems at this weekend's German Grand Prix or at subsequent grand prix".
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