Pirelli to revert to 2012 tyres, provide Kevlar belt rears in Germany

Pirelli has announced that it will revert to its 2012 construction P Zero Formula One tyres in time for the Hungarian grand prix. For this weekend’s German grand prix only it will provide teams with rear tyres constructed with Kevlar belts at the Nürburgring. Pirelli says the aim of this is to reduce the tyres’ susceptibility to cuts, while Kevlar has the advantage of reducing the working temperature of tyres by around 10 degrees Centigrade. The concern remains that this may alter the competitiveness of some teams’ cars. The reduced damage resistance and hotter running of the steel belt construction tyres are thought to have been two of the factors leading to the high profile tyre failures witnessed at Silverstone.

In another major regulation change, the FIA will allow F1 teams’ current race drivers to participate in the young driver tests back at Silverstone on 17-19 July. They will be allowed only to work on tyre development, and will not be allowed to assess car improvements, according to the FIA. In return for these regulation changes, the FIA is seeking assurances from Pirelli that there will be no repeat of the scenes at Silverstone. While these regulation changes are pending the World Motor Sport Council’s agreement to change the rules at the time of going to press, it is thought that no issues will be raised with the FIA’s solution.

Related news:

• Ecclestone approves tyre tests, rubbishes possible driver boycott
• Tyre failures return in dramatic British grand prix