Red Bull owner Mateschitz hits out at tyres

By on Monday, May 13, 2013

Red Bull/Getty Images

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has hit out at Pirelli's tyres, says Formula 1 is no longer about racing.

Mateschitz's team sit at the head of the Constructors Championship after five races.

But his Red Bull team were unable to compete for victory in the four stop Spanish Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel, who maintained his championship lead, came home in fourth place while Mark Webber was fifth.

"Everyone knows what happens here. This has nothing to do with racing anymore. This is a competition in tyre management," the Austrian told Autosport.

"Real car racing looks different. Under the given circumstances, we can neither get the best out of our car nor our drivers. There is no more real qualifying and fighting for the pole, as everyone is just saving tyres for the race."

"If we would make the best of our car we would have to stop eight or ten times during a race, depending on the track."

Mateschitz accepts that Pirelli's aim was to spice up the racing but reckons it has now gone too far.

"Yes, it was the target to get more excitement into the races by more stops for tyre changes, but not that much. This is now a different situation from the original intention."

Vettel also appeared to be critical of Pirelli after the Spanish Grand Prox.

"I think the car is quick enough, but there's something we do to the tyres to make them wear more. Three people did better today so we need to catch up. We are not going to the pace of the car, we are going to the pace of the tyre," he said.

Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery admitted following the race that four stops was too many.

"We aim for two to three pitstops and it was too aggressive [in Spain]", said Hembery.

Hembery hinted towards a change for Silverstone but stressed that Pirelli is in a difficult position.

"So if I said we were going to make a change, I know I am going to have the podium people today not happy. Then you [media] will be here at Silverstone telling me we have given the championship to Red Bull. It will be damned if you, damned if you don't."


If you liked this post then share it with your friends on social media websites. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with the latest F1 news.