MAY 11, 2013

Pirelli considers changes after latest failure

Pirelli is considering more tweaks to its tyre design for 2013, following the failure at the rear of Paul di Resta's Force India on Friday.

Pirelli is considering more tweaks to its tyre design for 2013, following the failure at the rear of Paul di Resta's Force India on Friday.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton had an almost identical problem in Bahrain, where the tread peeled off the tyre.

"It's a big concern for us," McLaren's Sergio Perez is quoted by Finland's MTV3 broadcaster.

"Every weekend we're seeing two or three cars with this problem. It could cause a very serious accident," added the Mexican.

Pirelli, F1's official tyre supplier, admitted it is also concerned.

"We're looking at it and seeing if there are things we can do to eliminate it," motor sport director Paul Hembery told reporters in Barcelona.

He admitted, however, that making significant mid-season changes is difficult.

"We are very limited in terms of tyre tests," said the Briton.

"And if we change the structure, it can affect the aerodynamics, which could advantage or disadvantage some teams," he is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

A significant change for 2014, however, is on the cards.

"We will probably make the rear tyres wider," Hembery said, "because the new engines have more torque."

(GMM)