Red Bull will conduct a two-day, 1000 kilometre tyre test with Pirelli mid next week in Barcelona. The news revives memories of this year's Mercedes 'test-gate' scandal, but the world champion team will be using a 2011 car, not the title-leading RB9. And the race drivers will not be in action. Instead, it will be test driver Sebastien Buemi alongside 2014 race driver Daniel Ricciardo. Their task, confirmed by Pirelli motor sport boss Paul Hembery, will be to test 2014-specification tyres. But not everyone is […]

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed reports from Spa-Francorchamps this week that Michelin wants to return to Formula One. "They do want to get back in," the F1 chief executive is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport, "but we have had contracts with Pirelli for some time." Ecclestone is referring to commercial arrangements that have already been made with the sport's existing supplier. But there is no such contract between Pirelli and F1's governing FIA beyond 2013. That has ramped up the pressure on the already-frustrated Italian […]

Felipe Massa says that punctures during Friday practice are a concern, despite clarifications from Pirelli that the incidents were debris related. Sebastian Vettel suffered a puncture at Stavelot, while Fernando Alonso also endured a similar fate. "I was concerned because it is not the first time it’s happened, it’s happened many times so I think until we don’t see that it is not happening any more then we’ll feel more comfortable," he said following qualifying. "So I hope what they say is right but sometimes […]

Pirelli has confirmed reports the size of its F1 tyres will not be changing. Earlier, it was suggested that because the torque produced by next year's new V6 engines will be much greater, the Italian marque wanted to supply bigger and wider tyres. Indeed, motor sport boss Paul Hembery told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport that the 2014 data supplied by one engine supplier in particular - believed to be Mercedes - was "alarming". This ties in with reports Mercedes' 2014 rivals, Renault and Ferrari, […]

Paul Hembery has admitted he would like to organise another 1000 kilometre tyre test, although the last one with Mercedes' 2013 car was highly controversial. Indeed, F1's official supplier and the Brackley based team were officially reprimanded for the Barcelona session. But if the FIA's clarified guidelines are followed, Pirelli's contract with the sport actually permits tyre tests with individual teams, and motor sport boss Hembery admitted he is keen to organise another. Despite the controversy, and the fact Mercedes was penalised by having to […]

Paul Hembery in Hungary said he hopes the world of F1 can "finally get back to talking about racing, the drivers and the cars". Indeed, the word 'tyre' has utterly dominated the 2013 season, as the grid grappled with excessive wear, the 'test-gate' scandal, and the fallout of the chaotic British grand prix. But Pirelli boss Hembery's wish has not come true. Just after putting his Mercedes on pole in Hungary, Lewis Hamilton admitted he is not really looking forward to the grand prix. "I […]

Pirelli has revealed its choice of tyre compounds for the start of the second half of the 2013 Formula 1 season. Medium and hard tyres will be used for the Belgian Grand Prix, as well as for Pirelli's home race at Monza two weeks later. For the sport's night race in Singapore in late September, Supersoft and medium tyres will be used. "The second half of the season starts off with two of the fastest and most demanding races for tyres of the year, in […]

Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery has issued a statement to reiterate that the tyre company is working closely with the FIA and others after Sunday's tyre failures at the British Grand Prix. Pirelli earlier released their findings into the issues and appeared to lay some of the blame with teams. Pirelli unveils changes after Silverstone debacle But Hembery has denied such reports. "Contrary to the impression that some people have formed, I would like to underline the collaboration and support that we are receiving from […]

Pirelli has confirmed that changes will take place after five drivers suffered tyre failures during the British Grand Prix. Pirelli blamed the failures on a number of causes: the adoption of tyre pressures too low or at least lower than those provided by Pirelli, the adoption of camber angles pushed as well as the kerbs, most notably one at Turn 4. Rversed mounting of the rear tires was also to blame: a practice where teams use right rear tyres on the left rear (and vice […]

Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery has confirmed that the tyre company will be conducting a full investigation following serious failures during the British Grand Prix. Five drivers suffered tyre failures during the race and Hembery says Pirelli will be investigating the matter. 'There have obviously been some issues with rear-left tyre failures which we have not seen before," Hembery said. 'We are taking the situation very seriously and we are currently investigating all tyres to determine the cause as soon as possible, ahead of the […]

F1's intense heat on Pirelli only got hotter on Sunday, as the British grand prix took place amid shards of exploding tyre rubber. Lewis Hamilton, just one of four drivers who had spectacular rear failures during the Silverstone race, was comfortably leading when he had his problem. Afterwards, the furious Briton told reporters he was trying to hold his tongue. "Big time," he relented when asked if he is worried about safety. "They need to do something," Hamilton told British broadcaster Sky. On the BBC, […]

Amid growing rumours Michelin could return to the grid, Paul Hembery on Tuesday announced that Pirelli is in fact set to remain F1's official supplier. While at the same time expressing frustration with the situation in F1, and in the days after the 'test-gate' scandal and a FIA reprimand, Pirelli's three-year contract is coming to an end. That has triggered rumours Michelin - apparently supported by FIA president Jean Todt - could find its way back into the paddock. But Pirelli's motor sport director Hembery […]