After the two terrifying high speed tyre failures at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to Lance Stroll and Max Verstappen, Pirelli have released a statement ahead of this weekends French Grand Prix, after conducting an investigation into both incidents.
Both Stroll, racing for Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team, and Verstappen of Red Bull Racing, suffered left rear tyre failures on the start/finish straight at the Baku City Circuit, with initial reports from Pirelli hinting at possible debris causing the problem.
Pirelli have now concluded its investigation, and have ruled out any production faults and any suggestion the tyres suffered from delamination. The tyre manufacturer have hinted that the team’s themselves are at fault, with Pirelli updating its tyre protocols ahead of this weekend’s race at the Circuit Paul Ricard.
“Pirelli, in conjunction with the FIA, has completed the analysis of the left-rear tyres involved in the incidents that affected Lance Stroll and Max Verstappen during the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix,” read Pirelli’s statement. “This analysis also took in the tyres used by other cars in the race, which had the same or a higher number of laps on them compared to the ones that were damaged.
“The process established that there was no production or quality defect on any of the tyres; nor was there any sign of fatigue or delamination. The causes of the two left-rear tyre failures on the Aston Martin and Red Bull cars have been clearly identified. In each case, this was down to a circumferential break on the inner sidewall, which can be related to the running conditions of the tyre, in spite of the prescribed starting parameters (minimum pressure and maximum blanket temperature) having been followed.
“As a result of this analysis, Pirelli have submitted their report to the FIA and the Teams. The FIA and Pirelli have agreed a new set of the protocols, including an upgraded technical directive already distributed, for monitoring operating conditions during a race weekend and they will consider any other appropriate actions.”
It can be assured that all eyes will be on Pirelli for the upcoming triple header, with hopes that the dramatic blow-outs of Azerbaijan are not repeated in that sudden fashion ever again.
