LONDON: Pirelli have ruled out changing the construction of their Formula One tyres until at least August due to teams failing to reach agreement at last week’s Canadian Grand Prix.
Announcing their compounds on Thursday for the next three races – in Britain, Germany and Hungary – the Italian company said they had abandoned a plan to introduce a new tyre at Silverstone this month.
“This decision is due to the fact that the new tyres, which were brought to the Friday free practice sessions in Canada, could not be tested sufficiently due to rain,” Pirelli said in a statement.
It added that the teams had also “failed to agree unanimously about introducing the changes”.
“Instead a change in the tyre production process should now ensure that the delamination issue has been addressed,” Pirelli said.
Formula One’s sole provider has been in the headlines all season after some teams, with champions Red Bull among the most vocal, complained that the 2013 tyres did not allow them to race as before.
The tyres have been designed to encourage more pitstops and overtaking by losing performance quicker but that has led to criticism that drivers have had to make too many stops and reduce speeds to make them last. The tyres have also suffered from delamination – when the tread peels off while the tyre remains inflated. Although not worried about safety, Pirelli are concerned about their image and are keen to prevent it happening.
Pirelli are also in the spotlight for conducting a ‘secret’ tyre test with Mercedes in Spain last month that has led to both parties being summoned to appear before a motor sport tribunal in Paris next week. (Reuters)
