Pirelli will bring prototype tyres for teams to use during Friday practice at Silverstone. Each driver will have two sets of these tyres to test during the two sessions, assuming conditions remain unaffected by wet weather. "Silverstone, with its very high average speeds and flowing series of corners, presents an extreme contrast to Canada three weeks ago – which was much more stop and start," said Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery. "Like Canada, it’s a circuit that takes a lot out of the tyres, but […]

Most Formula One teams have deals in place with Pirelli beyond 2013, according to a respected correspondent. Bernie Ecclestone told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt last week that the organisation he leads - commercial rights holder Formula One Management - has "a contract with Pirelli for next year". But the F1 chief executive added: "Pirelli haven't got an agreement with the FIA (for 2014)." Now, Telegraph correspondent Tom Cary is reporting not only Ecclestone's 2014 deal with Pirelli, but also that "long-term deals" between Pirelli […]

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says that the lack of transparency from Mercedes over their three day tyre test with Pirelli is disappointing. Mercedes will face an International Tribunal after a possible breach of sporting regulations. In an FIA press conference, which Pirelli's Paul Hembery pulled out of following legal advice, Horner says the lack of transparency was 'disappointing' and that Mercedes undoubtedly learned from the test. "I think that whenever you run the car… when you're not allowed to test, when you have […]

Pirelli on Monday essentially confirmed reports the F1 supplier will now make only minimal changes to its tyres for Canada next month and beyond. After the waves of controversy and criticism following the Spanish grand prix, the Italian marque announced it would be making structural and compound changes for Montreal that should reduce the number of pitstops per race. But, after Lotus and Ferrari sided strongly against Red Bull and Mercedes, the FIA reportedly also hit back behind the scenes, confirming that the rules say […]

Pirelli has denied claims it is making major changes to its 2013 tyre design as a result of the pressure applied by world champions Red Bull. Following the controversy in the wake of Sunday's Spanish grand prix, Pirelli announced on Tuesday that it will make major changes in time for next month's race in Canada, including reverting to the basic structure of the 2012 tyre. However, before deciding to make the changes, Pirelli's Paul Hembery had warned that a reaction like that could hand the […]

Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery has confirmed that changes will be made to the 2013 tyres. The tweaks will come into effect from next month's Canadian Grand Prix. Pirelli has come under criticism from some quarters, most vocally from Red Bull, with regards to the 2013-spec tyres. Several leading drivers, including race winner Fernando Alonso, made four stops during the Spanish Grand Prix. "From Canada changes to be made to bring back 2 to 3 stops. Some structural changes combining elements 2012 and 2013 products," […]

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 […]

Fernando Alonso thrilled his countrymen on Sunday as he took a big bite out of Sebastian Vettel's championship lead at home in Spain. The victorious Spaniard finished three places ahead of Red Bull's title leader Vettel, who suffered with tyre wear and saw his lead to Alonso reduce by a factor of 13 points, to 17 points after five races. "We have only had five races and there have been some ups and downs but we know we have the car to fight with the […]

Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery says that an investigation will be carried out after Paul di Resta suffered a tyre failure during second practice. The British driver exited the final corner when his left rear failed, an incident which looked similar to Lewis Hamilton's failure in Bahrain. "There was a problem in the final part of FP2 that affected the medium tyre on the Force India of Paul di Resta and we’re going to investigate the cause of that fully," said Hembery. "Whatever the cause, […]

Qualifying is no longer as important as in the past, according to Mark Webber. "Previously," the Australian is quoted by the German-language T-Online website, "qualifying was almost everything -- 75 to 80 per cent. "It's now much less than that," the Red Bull driver added. Webber, 36, has been one of the leading critics of the 'new' Formula One, in which Pirelli's heavily degrading control tyres are dominating. Now, starting position is arguably completely outweighed by race strategy and tyre management. "There's still a little […]

Pirelli has all but confirmed reports it will make only minor changes to its controversial 2013 tyres for next month's Spanish grand prix and beyond. It was thought Sebastian Vettel's dominance in Bahrain last weekend might calm Red Bull's loud criticism of this year's heavily degrading Pirelli tyres. But team boss Christian Horner was quoted by AFP news agency after the race: "I think the tyres are still too on an edge." Earlier, we reported that most teams are in fact pushing for the status […]

Paul Hembery has admitted Pirelli might change tack after Sunday's Bahrain grand prix, in the wake of heavy criticism of its 2013 tyres. Mercedes' Niki Lauda, who like Red Bull has been complaining the loudest about the fragile tyres and their impact on F1 this year, said in China that Pirelli has agreed to supply more durable compounds for Barcelona and beyond. Hembery, Pirelli's F1 boss, acknowledged the legendary triple world champion's words, but insists the Italian marque "needs these four races" at the start […]